Who Told You?
“Who Told You?
And, He said, “who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” – Gen. 3:11
Hammered with thoughts of comparison, I felt undesirable. For years, unworthiness interfered with feeling accepted by God and others. Comparing my appearance, spirituality, and my personality with people evacuated my purpose. Accepting his lies, I concluded that I was a “less than.“ Satan’s modern-day demolition tactics mirror his war strategy in The Garden. Question God! Our worth shrivels, because we lose sight of the truth and the battle for our souls. Why are Satan’s efforts at dismantling our significance fruitful?
Satan jabs at our God-given worth. Appealing to areas of godly craving: physical needs, beauty, and knowledge, he tangles the truth. Now, sin looks appealing, even godly. Mission accomplished – deception! Eyes plunged to the ground, a heart wrapped in a blanket of shame, we hide from God. Mission 2.0 accomplished – fear and shame! Afraid of God’s response, we calculate the responsibility of another for our sin. Mission 3.0 accomplished – Blame! But, God provides a way of escape from Satan’s mission.
Listening to Satan’s lies prevents meaningful relationship with God and paralyzes our purpose. By default, paying attention to God’s truth paves relationship with Him and ignites His plan. How do we avert falling victim to his tactics?
1. Ask yourself often “Who Told You” that you were ______________?
2. Pray for discernment – Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate accepted lies.
“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” – Psalm 51:6
3. Resist Satan’s lies with the truth – Replace the enemy’s lies with truth from God’s Word.
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.“ – James 4:7
4. Think on the truth – God thinks good thoughts about you, and He longs for your thoughts to mimic His.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
God told you that:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. – Psalm 139:14
He takes great delight in you. – Zephaniah 3:17
He longs to deliver you from your enemies. – Psalm 18:3;17
In His Presence is fullness of joy. – Psalm 16:11
He prepared good works for you to walk in. – Ephesians 2:10
He sent His Son to earth to save not condemn. – John 3:17
Daily, the Enemy attempts to steal the truth – in Christ we are accepted, forgiven, beloved, and significant. May the Lord overwhelm us with discernment in recognizing the battle and resisting its source.
Listening to this song reminds me of what He said:
12 Comments
Julie Smith
Oh, Lisa, thank you for sharing your experience at Exodus House last week! Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog and share your experience! Great to see you at the Board Meeting last week. : )
Lisa Simmons
Wow I just used this very phrase last week at an Engage parenting session with Exodus House. A girl was feeling like she was the only one who has “bad things happen”. I explained how Satan tries to trick us into believing untruths or half-truths (which are also a lie)…to believing that “we’re the only one” that “if God loved me_________wouldn’t have happened”. That is how Satan tricked Eve. Great reminder.
Julie Smith
Sydney, thank you so much for reading the latest post and sharing your thoughts with me! : )
Sydney Hewitt
Julie, this is an important truth for every one of our Brethren! Thank you!
The enemy is a LIAR.
He lies about the trustworthiness of our Father! He lies about our Covenant Relationship with Adonai! He lies, because he does not want to see our unity (Yachad) with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
But we have unity, and we must claim it! Like planting a flag in new territory, we MUST plant the flag, the banner of Heaven, in our lives. PLANT it! STAND by it!
Amen
Julie Smith
Yes, the 2 Corinthians passage is so apropos! Thank you for your time and your comments!
Julie Smith
Samantha, thank you for your encouragement and understanding! You are a gift!!
Henderson Poleon
thanks, great message. Your piece vividly brought to light 2Cor. 10:12 …But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
Samantha
Thank you, Lord. You are the source of truth. Thank you for freedom from Satan’s bondage. He is a liar! Thank you, Julie, for being courageous and transparent ❤️ I enjoy reading your pleasant words.
Julie Smith
Thank you, Gary! I am encouraged by your comments. Thank you for your time and thoughtfulness! : )
Julie Smith
Wally, thank you for taking time to read the post! Yes, for grace to see ourselves through His eyes more consistently!
Gary Osborn
Great piece, Julie! Congrats. I think the format has a great punch to it and makes it easy to get the truth you’re conveying. The segmenting makes it feel quicker to read, which is very important today. (Ugh! but true…). Thanks for hanging onto your calling and purpose…no…matter…what.
Wally Hoskins
In my Father’s Day testimony at SGF I encouraged the men to cut themselves a little slack, as we’re not the center of the universe. God expects us to fail more than we give ourselves room to do so {Thank you Brennan Manning}. When you “flub up” forgive yourself, stand upright in His Amazing grace and move forward.