Liar, Liar Cant's on Fire: Lies Told by the EnemySample

Lie #1 - “You can’t overcome your past”

Most of us have elements of our past that are regretful or shameful. As Christians who have been saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), we have been redeemed by the blood of the cross. In theory, that should set our minds at ease, permitting us to forgive ourselves. However, the enemy has a photographic memory of our lives, and he never misses an opportunity to throw it in our face. His communication tactics are very clear in their efforts to condemn God’s people. He is very intentional in planting seeds within our mental framework that prevent healing and restoration.

Many leaders in the Bible had tarnished pasts with questionable and, in some cases, reprehensible behavior. David was a murderer and adulterer but, after he repented, was considered a man after God’s own heart. Paul persecuted and murdered Christians before his transformational spiritual encounter. He later became an apostle and teacher of God’s word, writing two-thirds of the New Testament. As you know, Peter denied Jesus three times but was the rock on which the church was built. Our past will only contaminate what we allow it to invade. Following Jesus doesn’t shelter us from sin, but it opens a door for repentance and forgiveness.

Contrary to what the devil would like us to believe, we CAN overcome our past. At the risk of sounding like a five-year-old, he’s not the boss of me. He CAN’T define my future by using my past against me. There are countless promises in scripture that define us as overcomers and victorious by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). We have the choice of playing the home movie in our heads which replays our failures and transgressions. We can choose to camp out in those memories, or we can choose to accept the fresh start Christ gives us and move on. We CAN choose to overcome, and God gives us the tools to do so.

CHALLENGE:

Identify a painful memory from your past and ask for God’s redemption and forgiveness.