Monthly Women's Devotional
Dispelling the Lies
If I’m being honest, I’m often tempted to fixate on my flaws and shortcomings while overlooking the strengths and gifts God has placed within me. No matter how many good things are said, I can still find myself dwelling on the one hurtful comment. This kind of toxic thinking can rob us of God’s joy and blessings. But thanks be to God, His Word offers us the antidote to this toxic thinking—thinking that does nothing but drag us down and leave us feeling defeated.
God knew we would face this battle, also known as spiritual warfare. Paul described it as a fight against the “powers of this dark world” rather than with human beings (Ephesians 6:12). Peter confirms this as well by claiming that “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The fact of the matter is that the enemy wants nothing more than for one of God’s precious daughters to think of herself as less than she was designed to be. “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). So, as believers, are called to resist these lies, to stand firm in our faith, and take courage because other sisters in Christ are undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:9). Ladies, we need to stand strongly against these lies together, uplifting and encouraging one another along this faith journey.
Our first step in this battle is to pause and call it what it is—to recognize what we’re truly dealing with. We confirmed above that this is spiritual warfare, which is basically the enemy’s full-out attack on our minds to distract and derail us from carrying out God’s mission for our lives (Jn. 10:10). Our second step is to choose not to believe the lies. “We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Then the third step is to stand on God’s Truth – the infallible Word of God – which has the power to dispel Satan’s lies. I have found that by personalizing and claiming the words of James 4:7-8, which assures us that if we resist the devil, he WILL flee from us. But don’t forget the second part, which is equally important; to draw near to God, and He WILL draw near to us… (my paraphrasing). And ladies, when I claim that truth aloud, it’s amazing and almost unexplainable what happens. There’s an immediate release from the enemies’ oppression, and I feel God’s peace washing over me.
Father, we give thanks to you as the Lover and Defender of our hearts. We, as daughters of the King, made in your image to do good works, ask for your help in equipping us to go forth into this world with the confidence we have through your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we desperately seek to fulfill our God-given purpose and to bring you glory! So, let us not be distracted by the lies that the enemy whispers in our ears, but rather teach us to stand boldly and follow the sweet words of encouragement you speak to us through your loving Spirit. Amen.
Trish Gibb
If I’m being honest, I’m often tempted to fixate on my flaws and shortcomings while overlooking the strengths and gifts God has placed within me. No matter how many good things are said, I can still find myself dwelling on the one hurtful comment. This kind of toxic thinking can rob us of God’s joy and blessings. But thanks be to God, His Word offers us the antidote to this toxic thinking—thinking that does nothing but drag us down and leave us feeling defeated.
God knew we would face this battle, also known as spiritual warfare. Paul described it as a fight against the “powers of this dark world” rather than with human beings (Ephesians 6:12). Peter confirms this as well by claiming that “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The fact of the matter is that the enemy wants nothing more than for one of God’s precious daughters to think of herself as less than she was designed to be. “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). So, as believers, are called to resist these lies, to stand firm in our faith, and take courage because other sisters in Christ are undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:9). Ladies, we need to stand strongly against these lies together, uplifting and encouraging one another along this faith journey.
Our first step in this battle is to pause and call it what it is—to recognize what we’re truly dealing with. We confirmed above that this is spiritual warfare, which is basically the enemy’s full-out attack on our minds to distract and derail us from carrying out God’s mission for our lives (Jn. 10:10). Our second step is to choose not to believe the lies. “We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Then the third step is to stand on God’s Truth – the infallible Word of God – which has the power to dispel Satan’s lies. I have found that by personalizing and claiming the words of James 4:7-8, which assures us that if we resist the devil, he WILL flee from us. But don’t forget the second part, which is equally important; to draw near to God, and He WILL draw near to us… (my paraphrasing). And ladies, when I claim that truth aloud, it’s amazing and almost unexplainable what happens. There’s an immediate release from the enemies’ oppression, and I feel God’s peace washing over me.
Father, we give thanks to you as the Lover and Defender of our hearts. We, as daughters of the King, made in your image to do good works, ask for your help in equipping us to go forth into this world with the confidence we have through your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we desperately seek to fulfill our God-given purpose and to bring you glory! So, let us not be distracted by the lies that the enemy whispers in our ears, but rather teach us to stand boldly and follow the sweet words of encouragement you speak to us through your loving Spirit. Amen.
Trish Gibb
