Stand On God’s Word In Faith — Overcome Obstacles of the Flesh

Introduction

God’s Strength Is Perfected in Our Weakness

Every believer eventually faces obstacles that arise from the weakness of the flesh—pain, fear, exhaustion, discouragement, temptation, or circumstances that seem too large to overcome.

Scripture does not pretend these struggles do not exist. Instead, it reveals a powerful truth:

God invites us to rely on His strength instead of our own.

When we stand on God’s Word in faith, our weakness becomes the very place where God’s power begins to operate in our lives.

The Apostle Paul learned this firsthand.

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s answer to human weakness is not simply encouragement. It is divine strength that flows into us by grace through faith.

What Does It Mean to Stand on God’s Word?

Standing on God’s Word means choosing to trust and act on God’s promises rather than allowing circumstances, emotions, or lies to determine our response.

It means aligning our thinking with Scripture and allowing God’s truth to shape our identity, purpose, motive, posture, decisions, behaviors, and results.

Paul explains the outcome of living this way.

“I know how to be abased (be humbled/brought low), and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:12–13 

This verse is not about limitless personal achievement. It is about Christ strengthening believers to endure, overcome, and continue moving forward regardless of circumstances.

Standing on God’s Word means trusting that God’s promises are more reliable than our feelings or our fears.

What Is Grace and How Can It Strengthen Us?

Standing on God’s Word is not about trying harder or relying on human willpower. The Christian life is designed to operate through grace—the supernatural help and power of God working in and through us.

Grace is often described as “undeserved favor,” which is true. But on a deeper level, Grace is the manifest power of God at work in our lives.

It is God strengthening, enabling, and empowering believers to do what they could never accomplish on their own.

The Apostle Paul experienced this directly.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace is not merely forgiveness, that is just the beginning. Grace is God’s strength flowing into human weakness.

Paul also explained that the work God accomplishes through believers is ultimately God working through them.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul worked hard, but he understood that the real power behind his work was God’s grace operating through him.

How Do We Release God’s Grace?

Grace flows when believers assume a posture of humble submission and trust toward God, and act in faith.

Scripture teaches that God actively gives grace to those who humble themselves before Him.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” – James 4:6–7

Releasing God’s grace involves several important steps.

Submit Yourself to Jesus as Lord

Grace only flows when we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and surrender our lives to His leadership.

This means:

    • putting Him first in our lives,
    • living for Him and not ourselves,
    • yielding control of both the outcomes ahead
    • yielding control of the path or process Hewill lead us down 

Jesus taught us to pray with this posture.

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10

Submission aligns our lives with God’s authority and opens the door for His power to work through us.

Align Your Intentions With God’s Will

Grace can only flow when our hearts genuinely desire what God desires.

We begin seeking His purposes rather than pursuing our own agenda.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” –  Proverbs 3:5–6

Alignment with God allows Him to guide and empower our actions.

Trust God With the Outcome

Faith means trusting God not only with the effort but also with the results.

Scripture promises that God works through circumstances for our ultimate good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

When we trust God with outcomes, fear loses its grip.

Act in Faith and Make Space For The Holy Spirit to Work Through You

Grace does not eliminate action. Instead, it empowers action through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus described this partnership clearly.

“I am the vine, you are the branches… without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

The branch does not produce fruit through effort alone. The life of the vine flows through it.

In the same way, believers produce spiritual fruit when the Holy Spirit works through them.

The Grace Flow Pattern

When believers choose to stand on God’s Word, a powerful process begins.

Step What Happens
Submission We surrender control to God
Alignment Our desires align with His will
Act In Faith We trust His promises – Thinking, Speaking, Doing
Grace God’s power flows into our weakness
Results The Holy Spirit works through us and empowers results

Why Is This Important?

Human strength eventually reaches its limit. God’s strength does not.

Scripture repeatedly promises that God personally strengthens those who trust Him.

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 

God does not ask us to overcome life alone. He promises to sustain us.

“He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength…
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:29–31

Faith connects us to these promises.

Without faith we rely on ourselves. With faith we rely on God’s power.

This is how the Christian life was designed to operate.

Not through self-effort. But through God’s grace empowering our obedience.

How Grace Connects to Standing on God’s Word

Standing on God’s Word is the moment where faith meets grace.

    • We believe God’s promise.
    • We surrender control to Him.
    • We step forward in faith: Thinking, Speaking, Doing.

Then God’s grace supplies the strength we lack.

That is why Paul could say with confidence:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

It was not Paul’s strength. It was Christ’s strength working through him.

How Do We Stand on God’s Word?

Standing on God’s Word is both a mindset and a daily practice.

Recognize Your Need for God

Faith begins with humility. We acknowledge our weakness and turn to God.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10

Weakness is not failure. It is often the place where God’s power becomes most visible.

Renew Your Mind With Scripture

God’s Word transforms how we interpret our circumstances.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans –  12:2 

When our thinking aligns with God’s truth, our responses begin to change.

Speak and Declare God’s Promises

Jesus Himself used Scripture as a weapon against temptation.

God’s Word is a spiritual weapon.

“Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17

Declaring God’s truth helps align our hearts with His promises.

Move Forward in Faith

Faith does not wait until everything feels easy. Faith moves forward because we trust God.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Standing on God’s Word in Real-Life Battles

Faith is not theoretical. It is something believers apply in real situations.

Scripture shows that standing on God’s Word takes different forms depending on the challenge we face.

Scenario 1: Standing Against Accusation and Condemnation

One of the enemy’s primary strategies is accusation.

He attempts to convince believers they are unworthy, condemned, or beyond forgiveness.

Scripture identifies this tactic clearly.

“For the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” – Revelations 12:10

But the gospel provides the answer.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1

Paul continues:

“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen.” – Romans 8:33–34

When accusation comes, we stand on the truth that Christ has already paid the price for our sin.

Scenario 2: Moving Forward in the Face of Fear

Fear is another powerful weapon used to stop believers from acting in faith.

Scripture repeatedly commands God’s people not to fear.

 “Fear not, for I am with you…
I will strengthen you…
I will uphold you.” – Isaiah 41:10

David expressed the same confidence.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” – Psalm 27:1

And again:

 “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You… In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.” – Psalm 56:3–4

Standing on God’s Word in the face of fear means continuing forward because we trust God’s presence and protection.

Scenario 3: Persisting Through Our Weakness and Overwhelming Struggle

Sometimes the battle is not accusation or fear but overwhelming weakness or hardship.

This is where God’s strength becomes most evident.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s strength replaces our weakness when we depend on Him.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

Enemy Strategy vs God’s Truth

Spiritual battles often begin with a lie. Victory comes when we recognize the lie and stand on God’s truth.

 

Enemy Strategy The Lie God’s Truth Faith Response
Accusation “You are condemned and unworthy.” Romans 8:1 — “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Reject condemnation and stand in Christ
Fear “You are alone and vulnerable.” Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you… I will uphold you.” Trust God and move forward
Weakness “You are not strong enough.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Depend on God’s strength
Discouragement “Nothing will ever change.” Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary while doing good.” Persevere
Intimidation / Threat “You should retreat.” Joshua 1:9 — “Be strong and of good courage… for the Lord your God is with you.” Advance in faith

The enemy works through deception.

Victory comes when believers replace lies with truth.

Declaration: Standing on God’s Word

You can speak this declaration when facing accusation, fear, or weakness.

Declaration of Strength Through Christ

I reject accusation because Christ has justified me.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” –  Romans 8:1

I refuse to be controlled by fear because God is with me and strengthens me.

“Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you… I will uphold you.” – Isaiah 41:10

My weakness does not defeat me because God’s strength is perfected in my weakness.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” –  2 Corinthians 12:9

Through Christ I have the strength to endure and overcome every challenge.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

How Do I Know If I Am Standing Of God’s Word?

Here are some indicators that you are truly standing on God’s Word.

 

Indicator What It Looks Like
You turn to Scripture during hardship God’s Word becomes your first reference
You pray instead of panicking You bring struggles to God
Fear does not control your decisions You act in faith
You keep moving forward You do not give up
You give God the credit You recognize His strength at work

Paul summarized this mindset.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16 

Where to Learn More

To grow in this way of living, focus on these biblical themes.

Faith

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

Walking in the Spirit

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”- Galatians 5:16

Renewing the Mind

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

Abiding in Christ

“He who abides in Me… bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Call to Action

Every believer will face obstacles.

    • Pain.
    • Fear.
    • Weakness.
    • Discouragement.

But these obstacles do not have the final authority in your life. God’s Word does.

So choose to stand on His promises.

    • Reject the lies.
    • Declare the truth.
    • Trust God’s strength.
    • Move forward in faith.

Because when you rely on God, your weakness becomes the place where His power shines the brightest.

Satan’s Lies and The Truths To Debunk Them

Satan is the father of lies. He deceives and distracts. It is helpful to recognize his lies and know the truth to refute them.
Here is a list of the common lies and some powerful truth that can help you push back on those lies.
Click in the lie and go to the details, or scroll through the collection.

List Of Lies – Click To See The Truth

“God doesn’t exist.” “God doesn’t really love you.”
“God is far away and doesn’t really care about what happens to you.” “This earthly life is all there is, there is no life after death.”
“Your life has no purpose.” “The Bible is just a myth, it is all fiction.”
“Heaven isn’t real.” “Hell isn’t real.”
“The devil isn’t real.” “God is punishing you.”
“God won’t provide for you.” “You can’t trust God’s promises.”
“You should be afraid.” “You are alone in your struggles.”
“You don’t need God.” “You don’t need to read the Bible;”
“Your prayers don’t matter.” “You’re defined by your past.”
“You are too sinful for God to forgive you.” “You can never change.”
“There is no hope for your future.” “You’re better off giving up.”
“Live however you want, Sin has no consequences.” “There is no right or wrong; do what feels good.”
“You should follow your heart above all else.” “You’re in control of your own destiny.”
“You can earn your way to heaven, just do more good than evil.”  

Common Lies  &  Truths To Debunk Them


Lie: “God doesn’t exist.”

Truth:

Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works; there is none who does good.”

Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

Isaiah 45:5 “I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me.”

Dig deeper on this topic:

My Blog Post: Why Should An Inteligent Person Believe In God?

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Lie: “God doesn’t really love you.”

Truth:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'”

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Lie: “God is far away and doesn’t really care about what happens to you.”

Truth:

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Matthew 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Jeremiah 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.”

Isaiah 41:10  “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

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Lie: “This earthly life is all there is, there is no life after death.”

Truth:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 11:25-26  “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'”

Ecclesiastes 12:7 “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.”

1 Corinthians 15:19-20 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

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Dig Further On This Topic:

My Web Page for resources on Life After Death / Near Death Experiences

My Video Playlist – What Can We Learn From Near Death Experiences

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Lie: “Your life has no purpose.”

Truth:

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Psalm 139:14  “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

Colossians 1:16 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

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Lie: “The Bible is just a myth, it is all fiction.”

Truth:

2 Timothy 3:16  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

 2 Peter 1:20-21 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 1:1-3 “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”

Dig Further On This Topic:

My Video Playlist: Is the Bible Fact of Fiction? What evidence do we have that the bible is not fiction?

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Lie: “Heaven isn’t real.”

Truth:

John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 Peter 1:4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Dig Further On This Topic:

My Web Page Dedicated to resources on Life After Death / Near Death Experiences

The Book – Heaven Is Real – First Hand Experience of Colin Burpo

My Video Playlist – What Can We learn From Near Death Experiences

My Video Playlist – What Can We Learn from Emanual Swedenborg 

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Lie: “Hell isn’t real.”

Truth:

Revelation 20:15 “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Matthew 25:46  “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Luke 16:23-24   “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’”

Dig deeper on this topic:

Howard Storm’s testimony of visiting Hell during His near death experience – story takes a while to develop but it is powerful

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Lie: “The devil isn’t real.”

Truth:

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

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Lie: “God is punishing you.”

Truth:

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

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Lie: “God won’t provide for you.”

Truth:

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

 Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”

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Lie: “You can’t trust God’s promises.”

Truth:

Numbers 23:19  “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Hebrews 10:23  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

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Lie: “You should be afraid.”

Truth:

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:13        “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'”

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Lie: “You are alone in your struggles.”

Truth:

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Matthew 28:20  “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

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Lie: “You don’t need God.”

Truth:

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Proverbs 3:5-6   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Psalm 62:5-8 “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

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Lie: “You don’t need to read the Bible or learn God’s Word.”

Truth:

Matthew 4:4  – “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”‘”

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart…”

Joshua 1:8  – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…”

Psalm 1:1–3  – “…His delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you…”

Proverbs 13:13  – “He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.”

Jeremiah 8:9 – “They have rejected the word of the Lord; So what wisdom do they have?”

Isaiah 5:13 – “Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge…”

Matthew 22:29 –  “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”

2 Timothy 4:3–4  – “…they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

 

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Lie: “Your prayers don’t matter.”

Truth:

James 5:16 “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

1 John 5:14-15   “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

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Lie: “You’re defined by your past.”

Truth:

 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 43:18-19  “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

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Lie: “You are too sinful for God to forgive you.”

Truth:

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Isaiah 1:18 “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'”

Micah 7:18-19    “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities.”

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Lie: “You can never change.”

Truth:

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Philippians 1:6   “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

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Lie: “There is no hope for your future.”

Truth:

Jeremiah 29:11  “‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.'”

Romans 15:13    “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Psalm 37:23-24  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

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Lie: “You’re better off giving up.”

Truth:

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

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Lie: “Live however you want, Sin has no consequences.”

Truth:

Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

James 1:15 “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

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Lie: “There is no right or wrong; do what feels good.”

Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

 Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

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Lie: “You should follow your heart above all else.”

Truth:

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'”

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Lie: “You’re in control of your own destiny.”

Truth:

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

James 4:13-15 “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'”

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Lie: “You can earn your way to heaven, just do more good than evil.”

Truth:

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'”

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Focus Forward

Are you consumed with problems from your past? Are you overwhelmed with challenges in the present, Are you worried about the future? This little write up might just help you.

I learned several very practical a useful nuggets whle listening to Jack and Carol Webber from UVA Darden School as they taught a course called “Possiblility Thinking”.  One of the key teaching points was about posiitoning your mental framework and it was centered arounf a statement something like this:   

Always respect the past, Be brutaly honest about the present, and Be eternally optimistic about the future.

I have come to appreciate hhow will this aligns with a healthy spiritual ajenda. 

God wants you to move forward from your past. You need to acknowledge your past; You were born a sinner and need a saviour. Once you acknowledge and confess your sins and commit to turn from them, He forgives them so you do not have to dwell in the past and fret about your prior choices, they are behind you.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

You are called to deny yourself.  To turn from a focus on you and your own earthly interests and agendas, and become focused on your eternal soul and His agendas working through you. You are called to put off the old man, and put on new life through Christ. Once the earthly, flesh oriented, self has been put to death on the cross with Jesus, there is no place for guilt, condemnation or shame to take hold in you. You are free to move forward.

Be honest: Have you denied yourself? Do you worry about your earthly reputation? What people say or think about you? Are you focused on your posessions or how they can help others?  If you have not already done it, Submit yourself to Him, Get the “Old you” out of the way, let Him live through you.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

He wants you to move forward in partnership with Him. Have Faith and walk with Him.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Mathiew 6:33-34

Lord, Thank you for coming here and becoming a sacrifice for me. I submit myself to you as Lord of my life.. I was born with a sinful nature, and that has cased problems for myself and others in the past. I put my old sinful self to death on the cross with you and i am raised up with you in new life. Thank you for forgiving my sins so that i can focus forward. Your mercy and grace washes my past so i can focus forward. I am a vessel for your use; I invite you to live in me, to form in me, to flow through me,  to use me in any way you see fit. With your continued help, I will live as a beacon for your kingdom and bring you glory. I ask this in Jeuss’  name. AMEN