Confronting Lies: A Journaling Exercise
*Adapted from the Get Lost: Love Feast bible plan by Dannah Gresh*
We tell lies.
Lies to ourselves about who we are and what we deserve. Lies that leave us doubtful and immobilized. Why do we continue to hold on to them? Why don't we just let go?
Okay.
We can't free ourselves all at once, but let's take a couple baby steps. Right now.
Step One: Call out the lies.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5
Take a few moments to write down any lies you believe about yourself:
- No matter how talented you are, no one is going to give you an opportunity. No one believes you're worth it.
- You aren't extroverted/perky/enthusiastic enough to win in this world
- No one will like you if you tell the truth, point out injustice, or speak out
- Everyone thinks you're just whining and complaining
- You're not good enough
- You are the reason you are not successful
- You are not as smart or talented as you think you are
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whew! I'm not crying, you're crying!
Whew! I'm not crying, you're crying!
That was rough, but let's keep going.
Step Two: Replace the Lies with Truth
"Today God speaks to us through the Bible. We experience his healing power in quoting Scripture over our broken vision of ourselves. Freedom doesn't come through head knowledge but by letting the words of God seep so deeply into your soul that you intimately know them to be true." - Dannah Gresh
Identify one bible verse that speaks truth to each lie:
Tip: Google is your friend.
Lie: No one will give you an opportunity/No one believes in you
Truth: For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:13-14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lie: You're not the type of person who can win in this world
Truth: For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lie: No one will like you if you speak the truth
Truth: But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 1 Peter 3:14
Truth: Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lie: You're not good enough
Truth: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Truth: For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Truth: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Truth: (Spoken by God) I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor. Isaiah 43:4
Now whenever you hear any of these lies, grab your sword. Pierce and subdue those negative thoughts. Make them obedient to Christ. Speak the truth over yourself and your life.
Do this repeatedly until these truths flow from you naturally. Speak it until you know it. Speak it until you believe it. Speak it until you can stand on it.
Lie: No one will give you an opportunity/No one believes in you
Truth: For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:13-14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lie: You're not the type of person who can win in this world
Truth: For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lie: No one will like you if you speak the truth
Truth: But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 1 Peter 3:14
Truth: Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lie: You're not good enough
Truth: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Truth: For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Truth: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Truth: (Spoken by God) I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor. Isaiah 43:4
Step Three: Grab Your Arms
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:12-17
Now whenever you hear any of these lies, grab your sword. Pierce and subdue those negative thoughts. Make them obedient to Christ. Speak the truth over yourself and your life.
Do this repeatedly until these truths flow from you naturally. Speak it until you know it. Speak it until you believe it. Speak it until you can stand on it.
