Lies ~ Part 1

Over the next few blog posts, I would like to talk through some lies that seem to work their way deep into our hearts and minds. Lies I believe that keep us from reaching the full potential Christ has for us. Lies I believe the devil would love if you never stopped believing.

“You’re not enough.“ – the devil

Lie number one. I address this one first because I believe it is one of the most common lies the devil will use in attempts to keep us from becoming the people God created us to be, and whom Jesus himself died for. This specific lie has found a way to weasel itself into every fiber of humanity. Don’t believe for one second you are the only person who has struggled with this lie at one time or another; everyone has. You are not enough. Period. The lie says you aren’t good enough, you’re not smart enough, you’re not experienced enough, you’re not clean enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not educated enough, you’re not articulate enough, you’re not talented enough, you’re not outspoken enough, you’re not humble enough, you’re not Christian enough, you’re not righteous enough, you’re not unique enough, you’re not wise enough… the list goes on. Fill in whatever “enough” you feel you are not. By who’s standards are you trying to measure up? Could it simply be that you have compared yourself to some expectation, some standard that culture has said you need to achieve in order to fulfil a purpose? Have you been told repeated by people these lies for so long that obviously it must be true? The devil will stop at nothing to keep you from your potential, God’s will for you, your God given-Christ redeemed purpose, and all he really has to do is convince you that you are not enough.

So lets unpack some truths. Apart from Christ, its true. You’re not enough. The devil like to take seemingly true statements and turn them against us, but hear my words… Apart from Christ, we are not enough. The Bible makes that clear. According to God’s standards, we have all fallen short of God’s glory; His standard of righteousness (Rom. 3:23). That standard is only ever achievable through what Christ did on the cross. That’s what makes the wonder of the gospel so beautiful… with Christ, in Christ, and through Christ, we become and are enough. Romans 8 says in verse 37, “In all things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We are conquerors! We are enough! If God has something for you to do, and believe me, He does, then He’s going to work in your life in such a way that you are molded, shaped, and equipped for it. That does not mean we will always feel prepared for it. Often times, we certainly do not feel prepared for it, but that is where faith comes in. The resolve to follow and trust God beyond our understanding of the situation.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6. Often times, we put the emphasis on certain words in that passage; “He will make your paths STRAIGHT.” But lets change it a little and put the emphasis on 2 often over looked words. Lets start with all. It doesn’t say, “Trust in the Lord with your heart…” it says, “with ALL your heart” implying that we can trust God, but not fully. Maybe we trust Him with some things but not all things. Maybe we can easily trust him with our day to day, or our church growth, or healing of a family member, but can we truly trust him with our kids when we aren’t around? With our own finances? With a future we can’t see? What happens when the money runs out and there’s no job to provide for your needs? Do you trust Him with ALL your heart? Now look at it another way… ALL your heart could also be applied to devotion, adoration, and worship. Do you trust God with ALL your devotion or are there idols that take priority when life gets sticky; when you go through something uncomfortable? Do you trust God with ALL your adoration even when He allows trial to break to you down so that you may fully surrender yourself to Him and His plan for you? Maybe it’s the trial that no one should have to face; like losing a child. Can you trust Him with ALL adoration even then? You get the point… Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart.

The second often over looked word is the word will. It doesn’t say say, “He can make your paths straight.” or “He might make your paths straight.” No, it says He WILL! He will make your paths straight. When we allow Christ to be our ALL and the trust goes beyond our understanding, then through Him and in Him we will be enough for whatever path we must walk! He will make our paths straight. That is a promise. He provides the way, the ability, He equips us and prepares the way.

The truth is, when you have received the gift salvation, when you have made Christ Lord over your life, and you have taken part in the transformation of becoming a new creation (Rom. 8, 2 Cor. 5), then the old is gone. What wasn’t enough about you doesn’t matter now, and there is absolutely nothing the devil can say or do that will prevent God from completing His work in you. (Phil 1:6) Find courage in that! There is nothing that the devil can whisper to you that God Himself has not already overcome. Find strength in that! You are enough in Him.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times a day the devil tries to speak this lie in my ear. Sometimes, it’s just a quiet whisper as I sit in defeat and fear. Sometimes, he’s shouting it for all the world to hear as I fail again and again. Whether its parenthood with my kids, or being a spiritual coach and discipling, whether it’s being a business owner, or serving at church, he lays it on thick in my life. All because he knows its the one lie that will stop me dead in my tracks, and it puts my faith to the test. I can not without God, and he knows it. He also knows I thrive on performance and affirmation. If it’s not up to a standard I think or someone else thinks it should be, I flat out refuse to do it. The core of that is pride, and a lack of trust. It’s the need to be in control of all situations and be able to predict and produce a certain outcome. As a business owner, maybe that works for a while, but as a spiritual coach, when you are discipling someone, not so much. Their spiritual growth is out of your hands, all you can do is pour truth from God’s Word into them. It is a daily choice to wake up knowing there will be another battle, but because my identity lives in Christ and who he has made me, I can claim the truth of scripture and resist the devil in Jesus’s Name. James 4:7 says “Submit then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee.” There’s that word again. Will. He will, that’s a promise. He has to go. His lies no longer have dominion, control, or power over our lives. Will he come back and try again? Yup. But he will never win; not when you are submitting to God. Not when you trust God with all your heart. I like to thinking of the word “submitting” like this: To submit to God means to have desires, but know His ways are higher than our ways, and resolve to follow after His plan even if you can’t see in front of you. Even if what you face is terrifying. Even if you don’t feel prepared. Even if you’re unsure, or have doubts, you trust Him anyways.

So when the devil tries to tell you all the “not enoughs,” I challenge you to speak truth back at him just has Jesus did in the desert. Memorize those verses in scripture you can use to counteract the devils lies and resist him. Don’t give him one minute of your time, or one second of your joy! Here are a few verses to get you started as you seek to trust the Lord with all your heart.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, and the new is here!” You are a new creation in Christ.

Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” God does not condemn you, you have been set free!

Colossians 2:10, “and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head of every power and authority.” You are complete in Him. He is Sovereign.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” You have been anointed, and you belong to Him.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” You are enough, because Christ gives you strength.