OVERCOMING LUCIFER’S LIES
(This is blog 8 in the series “Names of Satan.”)
Do you remember the children’s story about the emperor’s new clothes? Some dishonest men convinced him they were making fine garments which only the enlightened could see so he pretended to see them. Everyone else pretended to see them also. Then in a parade a little boy spoke the truth and everyone realized they had been believing a lie and deceiving themselves. Satan deceives us into believing lies.
His names tell us he is a liar and deceiver. “Lucifer” means “bright, shining one” (Isaiah 14:12). Ezekiel 28:11-19 say he is exceedingly beautiful. He is the “Deceiver” (Revelation 12:9) and the Father of Lies (John 8:44).
In order to overcome his lies, we must be aware of how we can be deceived.
- We can be demonized. Like a drunk is influenced by alcohol so we can be by demons.
- We can prefer to be deceived because we don’t want to face the truth or don’t like the truth, so we convince ourselves that a lie is true. We start to really believe it because we want to.
- We let our emotions run the show instead of our mind. When we let our feelings explain reality to our emotions (reacting out of fear for example) we replace the truth with deception.
- Our mind can be deceived, too, when we use it as the final determining factor and think absolute truth comes from it. Without the anchor of God’s Word to form our mind and correct our errors we can truly believe something based on the facts as we interpret them. But we may not be interpreting them correctly. However only God has all the facts and perfect insight, seeing the future as clearly as the past, so when we reject His truth, we are open to any kind of deception.
- Satan and demons tempt us to deception. Of course, they don’t ‘sell’ their product as a black lie, but make it look as appealing and good as possible. We sometimes fall for the bait.
- Even aside from the enemy, our natural tendency to sin (sin nature) causes us to prefer sin for we are often more interested in what is easiest and most enjoyable now instead of what is best in the long run. Our ‘flesh’ desires instant gratification and we can ‘want’ something so much that we leave all reason and balance behind.
If that is how we can be deceived, how can we know the truth? How do you know when your mate is telling the truth? It’s not something you can explain or put into words. It’s not something others who don’t know your mate can tell, either. But you know them well enough to be able to read the subtleties and know what they are communicating. That takes time as a relationship grows. The more time one spends listening to God the better he knows what God is saying. The more you listen to and follow the truth, the better your heart will recognize it. Really it is His Holy Spirit in us that speaks to our thoughts (and emotions as well). He promises to reveal His truth to us (John 16:13-15). In the same way, He alerts us to lies and deception if we are sensitive to His voice.
Knowing and using God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit, is key for victory (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 77:12; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Matthew 22:37-38; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 4:8). That’s how Jesus defeated Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan tries to plant doubts about God’s word in man’s mind. This is how he got to Eve. She misquoted God’s Word to Satan and when he added to God’s Word (making God seem like He was keeping something good from her) she didn’t recognize the error. Satan was undermining God’s Word, and he won! We must be skillful in the use of our sword to win. Below are some verses to memorize and use.
When Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture to have victory over Satan’s temptations. Paul says our only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Psalm 119:9, 11 tell us that it’s through God’s Word that we have victory. When you have these thoughts and attacks, use Scripture to have victory. Ask God to give you some verses that will help against these things, write them down and memorize them. Say them over and over when these thoughts attack you. That is the only way to victory, and God guarantees it will work!
Where are you most easily confused and distracted from God’s truth? What lies does the enemy know work against you? Which Scriptures should you use to explain truth to yourself? Write down the verses and keep them with you to read whenever needed. We’ll see more about lies in the next blog.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2020
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