Post by Richard on Apr 20, 2005 6:09:45 GMT -5
Father of Lies, by Sarah Stirman
[Jesus said] "When he [the devil] lies, it is consistent with his
character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44
NLT)
He's called the father of lies by the Son of the Most Holy. Lies are
his entire modus operandi -- his very native language. Why, then, do I
even listen? Why do I give any weight at all to the constant barrage of
lies Satan sends my way? Perhaps that's part of it -- there's no end to
the lies. Too often, Satan knows our insecurities and our weaknesses
even better than we know ourselves.
"Your husband can't possibly really love you -- not when you look
like you do -- or keep house like you do, or cook like you do."
"You're a horrible parent -- your poor children don't stand a
chance coming from your household." "No way. The sins of your past
are too awful, too horrible. What if everyone knew? God can never
forgive you completely. You're basically useless to His kingdom."
The lies start so small and innocuous, like a minor but constant drip.
They come at me most often when my life is good; at times when I don't
feel the urgent need to cling to God for every breath as I do in times
of crisis. I am not as well-armed to fend off the attack. As I absorb
each lie, they continue to spiral and snowball until I am completely
bowed down. I'm a weary soldier, marching to the cadence of an evil
leader -- a slave to the father of lies. It is then that I BECOME
useless to the kingdom of heaven! Ooooh, isn't Satan sneaky that way?
How can I possibly break free? How do I get out of this trap? That's
the glorious part! It's as close as my Bible and takes as long as it
takes my knees to hit the floor! When I turn my face to Him, to know
His glory, I know without a doubt that I am loved completely by Him. I
can expose the lies for the lies they are. InJohn 8:32, Jesus tells his
disciples, "The truth will set you free." The good news continues in
verse 36, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Hallelujah, and may I be free indeed!
David understood how the whole process works when he wrote: "Test me, O
Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever
before me, and I walk continually in your truth." (Psalm 26:2-3 NIV)
David knew the freedom from sin that comes with walking in truth. Satan
is too consistent in his attacks for me not to be consistent in my
defense against the attacks.
To me, the best news of all of this is found inJames 4:7-8. Not only do
we learn that we, as heirs of the Father, have power over Satan
ourselves, we learn that the Creator of all of the universe will come
to our aide and be by our side. The lies of the "father of lies" begin
to lose their power as I turn to His glory.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. (James
4:7-8 NIV)
---------
[Jesus said] "When he [the devil] lies, it is consistent with his
character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44
NLT)
He's called the father of lies by the Son of the Most Holy. Lies are
his entire modus operandi -- his very native language. Why, then, do I
even listen? Why do I give any weight at all to the constant barrage of
lies Satan sends my way? Perhaps that's part of it -- there's no end to
the lies. Too often, Satan knows our insecurities and our weaknesses
even better than we know ourselves.
"Your husband can't possibly really love you -- not when you look
like you do -- or keep house like you do, or cook like you do."
"You're a horrible parent -- your poor children don't stand a
chance coming from your household." "No way. The sins of your past
are too awful, too horrible. What if everyone knew? God can never
forgive you completely. You're basically useless to His kingdom."
The lies start so small and innocuous, like a minor but constant drip.
They come at me most often when my life is good; at times when I don't
feel the urgent need to cling to God for every breath as I do in times
of crisis. I am not as well-armed to fend off the attack. As I absorb
each lie, they continue to spiral and snowball until I am completely
bowed down. I'm a weary soldier, marching to the cadence of an evil
leader -- a slave to the father of lies. It is then that I BECOME
useless to the kingdom of heaven! Ooooh, isn't Satan sneaky that way?
How can I possibly break free? How do I get out of this trap? That's
the glorious part! It's as close as my Bible and takes as long as it
takes my knees to hit the floor! When I turn my face to Him, to know
His glory, I know without a doubt that I am loved completely by Him. I
can expose the lies for the lies they are. InJohn 8:32, Jesus tells his
disciples, "The truth will set you free." The good news continues in
verse 36, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Hallelujah, and may I be free indeed!
David understood how the whole process works when he wrote: "Test me, O
Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever
before me, and I walk continually in your truth." (Psalm 26:2-3 NIV)
David knew the freedom from sin that comes with walking in truth. Satan
is too consistent in his attacks for me not to be consistent in my
defense against the attacks.
To me, the best news of all of this is found inJames 4:7-8. Not only do
we learn that we, as heirs of the Father, have power over Satan
ourselves, we learn that the Creator of all of the universe will come
to our aide and be by our side. The lies of the "father of lies" begin
to lose their power as I turn to His glory.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. (James
4:7-8 NIV)
---------