Freedom From the Lies We Ponder

There are lies that we speak and lies that we listen to.  Both have the power to destroy.  Allowing deceitful thoughts to creep into our soul is something that affects all of us-young and old, believer and non-believer alike.  When allowed to linger, lies, like a blindfold, cause us to stumble and lose our way.  Deception engulfs us.    

Lies are disguised and delivered in many ways and come from numerous sources.  One common source is the culture which feeds our mind through movies, books, social media, and music.  Our educational institutions impart information which contradicts Christian values and teaching.  Sadly, selective interpretation of Scripture can deceive believers.  Our children are surrounded with influences that seek to undermine the truth of Scripture and promote a man centered worldview that allows everyone to determine their own truth.    

Steps to Finding Freedom From Lies

It is necessary to teach children the truth about lies.  Helping them to identify a thought as a lie, capture the thought, and speak Truth specific to the lie, will save them from its stronghold and devastation.   

Recognize the thought as a lie.

First, we must recognize who or what we are fighting.  ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12).

We are reminded in these verses that there is a battle for our soul.  The enemy wants to destroy our relationship with God and rob us of His blessings.  Planting doubt and defeating thoughts is a scheme that steals our hope, our joy, and our peace. 

“Before the truth can set you free you must know which lie is holding you hostage.” (author unknown) 

Is the lie a result of unbelief, lack of knowledge, or sin?  Believing a lie is not the cause of all a child’s struggles.  Character issues may be the cause of bad attitudes, poor behavior or emotional outbursts. For this reason, it is important to ask your child good questions to discern the heart of your child and the source of the thought that he believes. 

Capture the thought.

Once a thought is recognized as a lie, a conscious effort must be made to take hold of that thought, denounce it, and end further contemplation of it.  When the apostle Paul tells the believer to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, he is exhorting followers to judge every thought in light of scripture.  Seize those fearful, destructive thoughts that are contrary to God’s Word and dismiss them as lies.

I have had many opportunities to practice this over my lifetime.  Countless times an accusing, fearful or doubting thought has entered my mind and been allowed to linger for a time.  Maybe you have experienced this. Your husband or wife is late getting home.  Thoughts of an accident fill your head and you find yourself planning a future without him or her.  Attending a large public event, you are suddenly paralyzed by the thought of some catastrophe event occurring.  Your child is on an overnight trip and out of nowhere a fearful thought enters your mind that something terrible could happen.  Two friends are whispering in the corner and you’re sure they are talking about you. 

When these thoughts come, they must be taken captive, grabbed by the neck, and confronted as a lie.  Recognize it for what it is, challenge it as a lie, and begin to remind yourself of God’s truth.  Remember Satan is the deceiver, the accuser (Revelations 12:9-10) and father of lies (John 8:42-44).  Because Satan seeks to destroy, you can be sure that your children experience destructive thoughts which affect their attitude, their motivation, and their actions.  Teach them how to take these thoughts captive. 

Refute the lie with truth. 

Teaching your child to recognize a thought as a lie, take hold of the lie, and then speak truth from God’s Word to refute the lie, can release them from the trap that has been laid.  Hiding God’s Word in their heart is necessary for them to have the truth to evoke or call upon.  When a student puts their head on the desk with a sigh and exclaims, “This is too hard”, they can immediately be reminded.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 

With fear and trembling, a student may be thinking, “I can’t give my presentation in front of the class.  Everyone is going to laugh at me”.  Identifying such thoughts as a lie intended to trap them, the child can be encouraged with scripture that declares, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).

Scripture is not a magic pill that will change everything in an instant.  However, the Word does have the power to transform hearts and therefore our thoughts. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Truth has the power to transforms and defeat any lie the enemy whispers.   Help is available to you and to your children.  Help them to live out biblical principles by teaching them how to view the lie in light of scripture.