I can’t begin to count the number of times I have been told “the struggle is real.” I have often said the same thing myself. But what does that really mean? To be perfectly honest, I’m sure that it has a different meaning for everyone. It can even have multiple meanings to the same person depending on their life circumstances. It is my belief that the struggle is real for each of us every day! We are undoubtedly in a war. A conflict that many of us are losing because we have failed to recognize the enemies tactics and contend with him for our victory.
I don’t know about you, but as I look around at my acquaintances, family, and friends, I see far to many people hurting. Far to many struggling to overcome the same hurts, hang ups, and addictions. As if the wounds were not enough, I see far to many believers who have allowed these scars to prevent them from fulfilling the very calling that God has placed on their lives. For non-believers the end result is often more tragic. Their struggles often prevent them from coming into relationship with the very one who can set them free, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I would like to tell you that I am immune from the fall-out of my hurts and hang ups, but nothing could be farther from the truth. More times than I would like to mention, I too have fallen victim to these lies. As I sit today writing this blog I am toiling with what I see in my flesh and what I know to be the truth of the promises in God’s word. No one is immune to the lies and deception of the enemy. To believe that lie is to assure your own defeat.
It is impossible to read about the life of Jesus and not be confronted with the power that he had to heal and to set the captives free. In Hebrews 13:8 we read “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” If one believes scripture to be true, then he or she is left to answer a very important question. If Jesus hasn’t changed, where have we gone wrong? Why does the body of Christ often seem powerless to overcome their own struggles and even more powerless to break the chains of bondage that have overtaken so many?
For some, the answer is simple. Some have emphatically chosen to forsake those things which they once believed to be truth. For most, the answer is far more complicated. The good news is that whether we fall into the category of the former, or the latter, God has provided the answers for us all.
In 1 Peter 5:8 we read “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” After years of ministry and self-reflection, it is my belief that the first mistake that one often makes is failing to realize that they have an enemy. He is not an enemy that merely dislikes them. He is a powerful enemy that seeks to devour them. Merriam-Webster defines devour as “to eat up greedily or ravenously.” Sounds to me like our demise is something that the devil takes seriously! If one has an enemy, it only stands to reason that he is in a battle. If there were any question as to whether or not this conflict is real, God makes it very clear in his word. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world, on the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) Where there is no fight, there is no need for weapons.
Armed with the knowledge that we have an enemy and that we are in combat, what comes next? It is impossible to succeed in battle without understanding the tactics that your enemy is using against you. The strategies that Satan uses are many, but his objective remains the same. Satan’s objective is always to make one believe lies about God, lies about oneself, with the end result being the eradication of one’s God-given calling and purpose.
For some the destruction may begin at birth as he/she is rejected by a mother, father, or both. For others the destruction may begin in school as they are bullied by peers. For many, it will begin in adulthood as they are abused emotionally and or physically by a mate. More tragically for others, it will begin with wounding from the body of Christ. Whatever the circumstance, the scenario remains the same…get them to believe that one little lie. The enemy knows that it only takes one. Once one believes the “pretty little lie,” Satan’s plan is strategically set into motion.
The lies are many, but there is a common theme that rings true. A sound track that plays over and over again in one’s mind. The sound track goes something like this: no one will ever love you, you will never amount to anything, you are worthless, you are stupid, you should be ashamed. The list could go on, but you get the picture. Each and every LIE spoken to erode the inner most core of our being. Sad, but true, many will spend their entire lives believing the enemies lies, never recognizing that each and every lie was part of a calculated plan over which they have complete and total triumph.
In order to live a victorious life one must choose to believe the truth of God’s word. As followers of Christ we have a mandate first and foremost to God. We are mandated to know who he is, believe what he says, and to rid our mind of any ideas or thought patterns that come against this truth! “We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) The only way to combat a lie is with the truth! As one chooses to believe the truth of God’s word, it will become easy for him/her to know who he is, who he can be, and most importantly he will be victorious in accomplishing God’s will for his life.
As one recognizes the lies that he has believed, he will more readily recognize the lies that have those around him have believed. Once the lies of the enemy have been exposed, they can be defeated with the light of God’s word and truth. I love Lauren Daigle’s new song “You Say.” It speaks to the very nature of this blog and I encourage you to listen to the chorus which goes as follows:
“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh you say I am yours
And I believe oh I believe
What you say of me
Oh I believe”
God is calling us to shed the light of his truth into the areas of darkness that are holding many in bondage. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) It is imperative that we help those that are enslaved to the lies of the enemy break free. It is impossible to win a battle in which you are not actively engaged. But before one can participate, he must first be aware that Satan has declared war! The time for complacency has ended! Let’s prepare everyone who has fallen victim to the lies and deception of the enemy to be victorious! Satan has waged war, but our God has declared victory!
Jerimiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. God does not promise that everything that happens to us will be good, but he does promise that he will use everything for our good if we are called according to his purpose.
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