Going in Grace

Our scriptures are in the NIV this week. Let’s talk about lies: The Trick of the Enemy. We’ll uncover how Satan operates, how he deceives us, and—most importantly—how we can recognize and combat his lies using the Word of God. Let’s shine some light into the darkness and reveal the enemy for who he truly is: a defeated liar.

Satan’s primary tool to lead us astray is deception. Jesus plainly calls him out in John 8:44: ‘He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ Think about that—lying isn’t just something Satan "does", it’s who he "is".

Why does he rely on lies? Because that’s the only power he has. Satan is a defeated foe; Jesus conquered him through His death and resurrection. Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus ‘disarmed the powers and authorities’ and ‘made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ Satan’s power is limited to what we allow him to have when we believe his lies and cooperate with his plans. Think about Satan like a delivery man. He approaches us with packages, but we have to sign for them first before they can wreak havoc. We sign for packages with our words and actions, agreeing with things spoken over us or participating in acts that have open us to their consequences. It’s like handing a burglar the keys to your house—he can’t take control unless you give it to him.

Satan’s goal is to pull us away from God and lead us into poor decisions that damage our relationship with Him, with others, and even with ourselves. Remember the Garden of Eden? In Genesis 3, the serpent deceived Eve by calling God the liar and making her doubt God’s goodness. That’s his classic tactic: sowing doubt, fear, and confusion. This is why our time in the Word is so important. We need to know and believe what God has said because if we don’t, it’s only a matter of time before the enemy will try to trick us and use our power against us.

So how do we identify these lies? Satan’s lies often sound convincing because they prey on our insecurities, fears, and desires. Let me share a few examples:

First, ‘You’re not good enough.’ This lie aims to make us forget that our worth comes from God. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.’ ‘God doesn’t really love you.’ I believe this is the root of what Satan did to Eve. He caused Eve to question God’s love, thinking that God was withholding himself, His true love from her. Genesis 3:1-4 “Now the snake was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2 The woman said to the snake, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’4 ‘You will not certainly die,’ the snake said to the woman. 5 ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’

What a lie. God had given Eve everything except the one thing any loving person would never give, the knowledge of evil. We see this trick pop up often, especially during challenging times. Satan wants us to question God’s love, but Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The love of God has nothing to do with the challenges we face. Don’t mistake love for a ticket to easy street. Even when times are hard, we are just as loved, protected, cared for and listened to. When we stay with God, we reach the victory through Jesus.

Second, ‘It’s not a big deal; just this once won’t hurt.’ This lie minimizes sin and its consequences. But Proverbs 14:12 warns, ‘There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.’ We’ve all heard about the people who never had a second chance to make a better choice. Their consequences were severe, and immediate. The devil never tells anyone that part.

Recognizing these lies starts with knowing the truth. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ Holding to His teachings means being rooted in Scripture, where God’s truth is revealed.

So, what’s our defense against Satan’s lies? God has given us the ultimate weapon: His Word. Ephesians 6:17 calls it the ‘sword of the Spirit.’ When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4), how did He respond? With Scripture. Every time Satan tempted Him, Jesus countered with, ‘It is written…’
Here are three practical steps for us to follow:

1. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word: Spend time daily reading and meditating on Scripture. Psalm 119:11 says, ‘I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ The more we know God’s truth, the easier it is to recognize lies. You are daily bombarded by lies, so be sure to daily feed yourself with God’s truth.

2. Pray for Discernment: Ask God to reveal the enemy’s lies and help you see the truth. James 1:5 promises that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, and He will give it generously.

3. Speak God’s Truth Over Your Life: When a lie enters your mind, confront it with Scripture. For example, when you feel unworthy, declare, out loud so you hear it, ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14).

The Word of God is not just informative—it’s transformative. Hebrews 4:12 says, ‘For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.’ Use it to cut through the enemy’s lies.”
As we wrap up today’s episode, let’s remember that Satan is already defeated. His lies have no power except the power we give them. By staying rooted in God’s Word, praying for discernment, and speaking truth over our lives, we can overcome his tactics and walk in victory.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. If this episode has encouraged you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe for more faith-filled content. Together, let’s walk in truth and fight the enemies lies.

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