My husband traveled with a play company in Australia as an actor, dancer, and makeup artist in his early twenties before we knew one another.
Actors create believable characters. They memorize lines, portray another’s mannerisms and characteristics, and cause us to believe in another time, place, and narrative.
Their intention is to tell us a story for learning and entertainment purposes.
We know it, enjoy the experience, and are willing to pay for it.
The enemies intention is to deceive, distract, and dismantle us piece by piece.
We know it and if we listen long enough, we’ll pay for it too.
He knows our weaknesses; how to approach us; what to say or not say; how much time to spend with us; what to question; and how to twist the answers we give to his advantage, so we’ll believe he is actually looking out for our best interest – when he is not; and what little pieces of information to slip in, here and there, so we’ll continue the conversation.
He’ll feed us tiny pieces of truth interwoven with lies, that make it palpable to taste and believe in the moment.
He knows how to ask questions that we’ll feel compelled to answer, as we clarify and give out information we have no business discussing with the enemy of our souls.
“Really?” he asked the woman. “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1).
What we tell him, he will use against us and make us question the very foundations of what we know.
“It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die”(Genesis 3:2-3).
“You won’t die!” the serpent hissed. “God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5).
Their eyes would be opened and for the first time they would know evil, sin, separation from God (spiritual death), and shame.
Adam and Eve were In relationship with God, who was and is good, and they were made in His image (like Him). They already had everything they desired and yet they were deceived.
Here are five mistakes we ALL have made:
Mistake One: We listen.
We begin to wrestle, toil, and feel overwhelmed by what we hear and our own thoughts intermingle with his words as we listen.
Mistake Two: We reason.
We try to decipher and make sense of it all. A slushy mix of small truths stirred together with lies is almost impossible to separate out. It’s a dangerous cocktail of poison. You can’t take in a little and expect not to be affected.
Mistake Three: We engage.
Not everything makes sense and yet, we enter the conversation. We engage, answer questions, and find ourselves talking to the master deceiver.
Mistake Four: We act.
“The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave it to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too.”(Genesis 3:6).
We don’t even know why we’re doing it. It doesn’t make complete sense and yet, we find ourselves taking the bait.
Mistake Five: We accept the condemnation and shame.
Once we act, the enemy waste no time pointing fingers and telling us how unworthy we are and how God will never forgive us now.
He condemns and places shame on us.
This is NOT from God.
“At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness”(Genesis 3:6).
What we need to know: In the end, it’s a scam every single time. Satan is a con artist. He is a liar.
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).
He can’t love us any more or less than he already does my friend. All of us have listened, reasoned, engaged, acted, and accepted what we shouldn’t. Not one person is ever exempt, except Jesus.
You are not alone! Temptation comes, but God will give us a way of escape and if we fall, He is there to dust us off and pick us back up again.
Think of the lies you and I have believed over the course of our lives. The lies of fear, rejection, jealousy, insecurity, not being good enough, having a victim a mentality, limiting beliefs, revenge, judgement, human approval, that God is not good and so much more.
The enemy works, we are deceived, others are deceived, sin happens and we find ourselves bound and feeling condemned, stupid, deceived, alone, hurt, and ashamed.
Every morning I let my dog outside in the backyard and watch her go to the lowest point in our fence. If she stands up against the fence she can barely see over the top into the big, wide world in front of our home.
She only sees the beauty and freedom that she believes is on the other side. She is unaware of the danger of having freedom without being under the protection, love, and guidance of someone who is looking out for our best interest and knows more than you and I.
The enemy takes us to the lowest edge of the fence too, so we can barely look over and see all the freedom and beauty on the other side. He whispers such convincing words that speak to the deepest desires of our hearts and he talks about the happiness we deserve.
He offers us “freedom” to have whatever we want. He does not mention the high price we’ll pay, the bondage we will face, and the loss we’ll experience.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”(John 10:10-11 NIV).
You are loved.
You are chosen.
You are made right.
You are worthy.
You are His child.
You are forgiven.
You are beautiful.
You are wise.
You are blessed.
You are free.
You are protected.
You have all you need in Christ, who has created you for an amazing and abundant life in Him! Will you believe and trust the one who loves you most?
The verse of the song, Reckless Love, by Cory Asbury, says it best:
“There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me.”
Whether you have been a believer for years or you are new to faith, let’s let God tear down the lies, and pour His love, grace, mercy, and truth into our hearts that we may walk in freedom.
Have you had enough of the lies of the enemy too? Being set free, being sanctified, is a process that does not end until we are with Jesus in Heaven.
As we know better, we will do better, with God’s help!
We can overcome, and NOT listen to everything we hear the enemy say. In Jesus Name, Amen!
In this journey with you friend, and cheering you on ! Lets choose freedom everyday.
Joelle Povolni
P.S. If this post has ministered to you in any way, I know you will love this one too, You Are Welcome Here.
