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Zap the Lies, Hug the Truth

As the scriptures tell us that King Saul stood head and shoulders above everybody else, there is one aspect of the spiritual growth process that seems to stand head and shoulders above the rest: identifying and renouncing the lies that hold us in bondage, and embracing God’s truth which sets us free.

Recently, I have been blessed by the experiences of two dear friends, both dealing with the fallout of trauma, as Jesus lovingly takes them through this process.

One of them is a college student whose parents wisely equipped her in how to think through negative thoughts and feelings:

1. Is ______ the truth? [No.]
2. That makes it a . . .  [Lie.]
3. Where do lies come from? [Satan.]
4. God tells us truth because He is truth. So what does He say about it?

Armed with this powerful weapon, my friend successfully handled a molestation that happened in the middle of the night while she spent the night at the home of a friend. Wounds like that are “lie factories” that pump out pain and destruction. But she was able to pull out the arrows that had pierced her heart and let Jesus’ truth bring healing.

Lie #1: “You got what you deserved. It’s YOUR fault, because you didn’t lock the door.”
Truth: I did NOT deserve it. That man is responsible for his own sinful choice to violate me. 1 Cor. 6:18 – Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Lie #2: “Ha! Hypocrite! You make everyone think you’re leading a pure life, but you’re nothing but a soiled dove.”
Truth: I’m a hypocrite when it was something done TO me?? 1 Tim. 5:2b – [exhort] younger women as sisters, with all purity. He did not treat me with purity. I did not invite his mistreatment of me.

Lie #3: “You want your husband to be a virgin on your wedding day. Why should he be? You only have your ‘technical’ virginity left.”
Truth: My innocence was not freely given; it was taken. My “full” virginity has been restored. Ps. 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Lie #4: “No guy will want a soiled dove. That guy you are growing to love? Ha! You aren’t good enough for him.”
Truth: I may not be good enough for HIM, but Jesus thinks I’m to die for! John 3:16; Jer. 29:11-13…

Since this was the biggest lie and the deepest wound, God also provided these powerful verses:
Ps. 37:4 – Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Ps. 84:11 – For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Praise God that His truth is powerful enough to show lies for what they are, and destroy their power to shackle us! His word is sharper than any two-edged sword, able to zap lies and allow us to embrace the truth that gives life and light.

Next time I’ll share the way Jesus revealed truth to zap the lies binding the heart of my other friend.

Sue Bohlin is a speaker/writer and webmistress for Probe Ministries, a Christian organization that helps people to think biblically. She loves teaching women and laughing, and if those two can be combined, all the better. She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Ministries (Christian Women's Clubs) on the topic How to Handle the Things You Hate But Can't Change, based on her lifelong experience as a polio survivor. She has a freelance calligraphy business in her home studio; hand lettering was her "Proverbs 31 job" while her children were young. Sue also serves on the board of Living Hope Ministries, a Christ-centered organization that helps people struggling with unwanted homosexuality and the family members of those with same-sex attractions. Sue never met a cruise ship she didn't like, especially now that God has provided a travel scooter for getting around any ship! She is happily married to Dr. Ray Bohlin, writer and speaker on faith and science with Probe Ministries, and they have two grown sons. You can follow Sue on Twitter @suebohlin.

3 Comments

  • Gaye

    lies the work of the “enemy”
    This is a powerful and pointed blog Sue. We need this before our young girls and young men as well in this time in which we are living. What a mess this world has become and we need people who are willing to stand up and shout “LIES” to the “enemy” who wants to destroy our young people. No it was not right to have this happen, but it is the lie of the “enemy” to make us think we are “soiled’ and “dirty” and unworthy. I often think of the woman caught in adultery…Jesus forgave her where the religious leaders would not. This is the God we serve!

  • Anonymous

    I read your article on
    I read your article on detecting lies from truth, and I argree with some and not all for I feel that you are only suggestiong what you feel and believe to be true. Yes you did site the Bible as a part of your article, but you made what was said in the context to work for your argumenrs only. I do not believe peole should believe everything they here but I do believe that they should listen to everything and test the theroy before they call it out as a lie. Abortion is not something everyone would do but gult is not a truth that effects everyone. Guilt effects those who are already regreting that decision made before hand. Im not saying abortion is right but I am saying people have the right to choose what they do. People know abortion is murder, but again it is there right to choose and if they choose the wrong choice, it does not make them less of a christian because God’s grace covers us all.

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