The use of LIE/TRUTH PAGES: When tempted by the devil, Jesus fought back by quoting verses.
The devil’s job is to stir up fear, plant DOUBT, and tell true-sounding LIES: The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, use God’s power for your comfort and turn these stones to bread.” Matthew 4:3 Bible TRUTH: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Deuteronomy 8:3
LIE: “I will give you all the kingdoms of the world, if you just fall down and worship me.” Bible TRUTH: “It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” Deuteronomy 6:13,14
So now, satan tempts Jesus by twisting a Bible quote into a LIE: “Jump off the temple and God will have his angels float you gently to the ground in front of all the important people in Jerusalem. In Psalm 91:11,12.” Bible TRUTH: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test”, Deuteronomy 6:16
It is our task to copy Jesus’ example and spot the DOUBTS and LIES of the devil and be ready with Scripture to block him and guide our actions.
In the garden, Eve says, “God said that we may eat of any tree except one, but if we eat of that, we will die.” The devil plants doubt: “You will not die; God just doesn’t want you to eat because he knows that, when you eat of it, you will know good and evil for yourself and will be like gods.”
Eve should have been horrified at the accusation against God and at the lie and screamed, “Get behind me, satan, God said it, and that is that!” We would have all been better off if she had! Genesis 3:1-6 Paul says that we should not be ignorant of the devil’s devices lest he should get an advantage of us. 2 Corinthians 2:11
These LIE/ TRUTHS are intended to increase our ability to spot the devil stirring up fears, planting doubts and lies, and to increase our ability to fight back as Jesus did.
A fun and beneficial way to use them is to pass out a LIE/TRUTH page to each person in a group and have them read either the LIE or the TRUTH and have the others in the group come up with the opposite.
Interestingly, I have found that looking at the TRUTH and trying to figure out the LIE that it stands against is almost harder than the other way around. The devil really fights against our being good at spotting his devices.
LIE: It is better to LOOK good and BE bad than to LOOK bad but BE good. So never let anyone point out your flaws. If they do, ignore them, defend, minimize, compare, blame, counterattack, etc.
TRUTH: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be wiser. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Proverbs 9:8,9 Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Proverbs 27:6 Confess our faults one to another and pray for one another. James 5:16
LIE:If it feels good and everyone consents, it must be OK. Others do it, and they are happy and full of life.
TRUTH: There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is death. Proverbs 14:12 Sin gives pleasure but only for a short time. Hebrews 11:25 Sin’s pleasures come with sorrow. Proverbs 10:22
LIE: Don’t pay attention to others’ problems; you have enough of your own to deal with. You can’t be held accountable if you don’t know what is happening.
TRUTH: The cause which I knew not, I searched out. Job 29:16 The righteous considers the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. Proverbs 29:7 He who stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13 If you refuse to help those who are being dragged off to die and claim that you did not know it, doesn’t God see your heart and will hold you accountable? Proverbs 24:11,12
LIE: If I just believe in myself, whatever I can envision I can achieve.
TRUTH: Without the Holy Spirit, I can do nothing that counts. John 15:5 Even Jesus said, “ The Son can do nothing of himself but what he sees the Father do.” John 5:19
LIE: Don’t ask questions, or everyone will know how ignorant you are.
TRUTH: If any of you lack wisdom, ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and does not get upset at you for asking, and much wisdom will be given. James 1:5
LIE: You need to worry; it will protect you; this is a dangerous world.
TRUTH: Do what you can about problems and then throw your cares on him, for he does care for you. 1Peter 5:7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your cares known to God. Philippians 4:6: Take no thought for food and clothing; God knows you need these. Luke 12:22
