I love being a woman. My goal is to be as much like the virtuous woman we read about in Proverbs 31 as I can. Many of the barriers and hindrances to our success as women of virtue may very well be the plethora of lies we believe about ourselves and others that bind us and stunt our spiritual growth.
As the mom to four daughters I hope to be able to instill in them character traits and spiritual disciplines that will enable them to avoid the snare of deception that the enemy of their souls sets for them every day.
So what are some of the common lies that women believe? Nancy Leigh DeMoss has written a book and study titled, Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free. I love this book and have kept it within arm’s reach throughout my journey as a wife, mother, pastor’s wife, home school teacher, business owner, life coach and missionary because I find I sometimes need a reminder of the snares or common lies society feeds me (and other women like me, including my daughters).
So what are some of these common lies? Maybe this time of year when we are celebrating mothers, beauty and the freshness of spring might be the perfect time to share some of these lessons with your own daughters—and sons.
Here are 3 of the lies we believe about ourselves and the Truth that counters those beliefs.
The Lie
“I’m not worth anything.”
The Truth
The truth is that we are special creations formed by the hand of God. As such we are worth much. So much so that our God and Creator was willing to come to earth in the flesh in order to save us from our sins and offer us redemption through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Scriptures:
Romans 5:8 ESV
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 Peter 1:18 ESV
Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
Titus 3:4-7 ESV
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 2:1-22 ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 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—by grace you have been saved—
Romans 5:6-8 ESV
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Peter 1:3 ESV
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
Genesis 1:27 ESV
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
The Lie
“Physical beauty matters more than inner beauty”
The Truth
God does not look on the outside, but on the heart. This is a character trait that we as mankind should emulate when we are dealing with one another. We should be more concerned with the heart and character of a person than with their outward appearance, after all beauty will and does fade.
Scriptures:
Matthew 7:16-20
“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. read more.
Luke 6:43-45
“For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven
The Lie
“I should not have to live without unfulfilled longings.”
The Truth
God is a good Father. As with any good parent, there will be things He forbids and disallows because He knows what is best and what is good. We will desire to have and do things in this life due to our nature that go against what God wants and wills for our lives. The truth is when we align our will and ways with those of our heavenly Father’s we will enjoy peace, contentment and great joy. We are not designed to be filled in the natural, but we were made to long for fellowship with our God. He alone will complete us if we belong to Him. This is a deception that keeps us wanting, coveting, and running after something or someone better and newer. Our flesh and the enemy intend that we remain empty and unfulfilled so that we will do his will and not the Father’s.
Scriptures:
Romans 8:23
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
How do we counter these lies and apply these truths in a way that will really impact our living?
- 1. You must be born again in order to understand the ways of God. The Christian has the mind of Christ and being led by the Holy Spirit, he is able to change his appetites and mind about what is truth. Jesus Christ is Truth. John 14:6
- 2. Agree with God. What lies have you believed and taken to heart? Confess these errors as a next step to freedom. 1 John 1:9
- 3. Accept Responsibility. How has believing these lies affected your life? Journal and pray about the revelations about these areas in your life.
- 4. Affirm the Truth. Accept Biblical truth and what God has to say about whom and what you are and then confirm those truths. Renew your Mind. Romans 12:1 teaches us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Desire to be transformed and released from the bondage of deception.
- 5. Act on the Truth. Remember faith without works is dead.
- 6. Ask God to help you Walk in the Truth.
Be encouraged and refreshed by the truth of the Word of God. I pray for us all to be changed and victorious as we live the abundant life that is ours through the Savior.