Our Lies, God's Truth

This past weekend I had the privilege of speaking at a women’s gathering at a local church. The title of the event was: “Our Lies, God’s Truth.” The presumption was that women, all women, struggle with believing lies that hold them captive. We cannot lead a life of freedom in Christ, if we hold onto false ideas about who God is and who we are.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

In preparing for this weekend, I began my research by speaking to many women—women of all ages and stages in life. What lies do you tend to believe? The list I amassed was overwhelming. I then found out there have been many books, devotions, and articles identifying these lies. Apparently, women love lists. I found titles such as: 10 Lies Women Believe, 7 Myths You need to Combat, and 40 Lies Women Believe. How could I possibly address them all? How could I equip them to combat the lies? Then I realized an obvious “Truth.” I couldn’t but God could. Anything I said could not set anyone free. I do not have the authority to tell anyone that what they believe is not true. It would just be my opinion. Would it really make anyone feel better? Just because our parent might tell us that we are the most beautiful or smartest girl in the world, sadly, that does not make it true. Therefore, we have to begin with the premise that there is a Truth. And if there really is a Truth, shouldn’t we be going to It? I have found that when I am anxious, stressed or fearful, the root of these emotions is that I have come to believe a lie. But I can test all of those thoughts against a Truth—God and His Word.

But how do I know that God’s Word is Truth? The first and foundational lie that we must deal with is simply: God’s Word is not Truth. This was the very first lie that a woman believed. In Genesis 3, Eve believed the lie that God is capable of lying. First, Satan put doubt in her mind, “Did God actually say…?” And then he added, “You will not surely die…” when God had already said, “in the day that you eat of it [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil] you shall surely die” Genesis 2:17. Who was telling the truth? One was, one was not. They could not both be true. Did Adam and Eve die when they ate of the fruit?

The account of their consequences demonstrates that God and God alone is Truth. First, while they physically lived for many more years, they did “certainly” and ultimately die a physical death. The death process was initiated in their bodies the moment they sinned. They were expelled from the Garden of Eden and the tree of life. Second, most times that “death” is referred to in Scripture it signifies a spiritual death, that is, separation from God. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit and then heard God’s voice, they “hid themselves from the presence of the Lord.” Their fellowship with God was broken and they experienced guilt and shame. Sin causes death.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 6:23

The rest of the Bible demonstrates that God and His Word is Truth. Every prophetic Word given about the coming Messiah, and every blessing promised have come to pass exactly as God has said. But the greatest evidence I have of God’s Truth is that I have seen His Truth destroy every lie I have ever believed.

When I have believed the lie that I have no value, God’s Word has affirmed my worth: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10.

When I have believed the lie that I am not loved, God’s Word has affirmed His love for me: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…” Ephesians 2:4.

When I have believed the lie that God is not good, God’s Word has affirmed that He is good all the time: “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made” Psalm 145:9.

When I have believed the lie that I am alone, God has affirmed His presence: “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.

Only His Truth has been able to restore peace, rest and joy in my heart. Is this a quick fix? No. Do I still need the love and support of Godly friends? Yes. But I know that the more I abide in God’s Word, the more I experience the freedom that He wants for me.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:31-32.