The Bible says that we are not ignorant of the devils’ devices. His favorite device is a lie,a half truth, a full truth that he suggests I should use to judge and control others and ways that seem right but lead to death.
When attacked by one of his lies, I need to spot it and counter with a Biblical truth. It is not necessary to quote perfect King James but it is good to be able to state the appropriate Biblical truth.
If you were asked to engage in a deadly serious sword fight in which the enemy could whack away but you were restricted to parrying or just “taking the blows”; you should respectfully decline.
NO, when attacked, we need the freedom to parry with a verse and thrust back with prayer for others, with praising God for who he is, for the current attack and for his presence and strength to deal with it, with spiritual singing in my heart and by finding ways to minister to others.
Here are some examples to help you spot the attacks, parry them with truth and mount an awesome counter attack. Read the lie, pause and think of some things you can quote to counter them. You may then read what came to my mind.
LIE: “Your worth comes from your abilities compared to others.”
TRUTH: If I compare myself to myself or others I am unwise. ( 2 Corinthians 10:12.) I do not worry how people judge me or even how I judge myself the only judgment that counts is the Lords and he loves me and gave himself for me. I Corinthians 4:3
LIE: “You did great, now take credit, feel superior and keep it up and do even more and you may earn your own worth.”
TRUTH: Can I be so foolish? I was saved by faith through the help of the Spirit and the finished work of Christ. Am I now made complete through the works of the law? Galatians 3:3 It is no longer I who do things but Christ that lives in me so I will take credit for none of it not even for the faith because it too is the gift of God. Galatians 2:20
LIE: “Your worth comes from what you do and you don’t do much and don’t do that well, so you are worthless.”
TRUTH: When I was still God’s enemy he found me valuable enough to die for and now that I am his child, although still a mess, he finds me worth keeping and washing with the water of his word and presenting me to himself without spot or wrinkle or blemish. Romans 5:8 , Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 5:27
LIE: “Your worth is measured in a balance scale. You pile your good deeds on one side, (which certainly are better than most peoples) and your bad deeds on the other, (Which, I’m sure are minimal after all you haven’t robbed any banks.) I’m sure God will have to let you into heaven on the balance of it all.”
TRUTH: Any good things I have done are in spite of myself, are done by him through me and come down from the father of light. James 1:17 Any bad things come from my saying NO to God’s attempts to give me grace. Mathew 23;37 So, in the balance of things, ALL have sinned and fallen short. I must pile his grace to balance my sin. My “good deeds” just turn out to be iniquity or are just his good flowing through me. Romans 3:23
LIE; “Aren’t you grateful to God that you are not like these other wicked lazy sinners? You pay tithe and go to church and pray. Clearly you are one of the good guys.”
TRUTH: Godliness never leads me to feel superior to others but rather to be filled with compassion and hope for them because if I the chief of sinners can be saved and empowered than anyone can. Luke 18:13, I Timothy 1:15
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