“In order for the truth to set us free, we have to know which lie is holding us hostage.”
John 8:31-32
Two weeks ago, we discussed how the devil perverts the truth and contradicts what God’s Word says. One of my favorite verses that I learned during my teenage years is John 8:32: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Everything that is in the Word is true. We don’t have to guess or decide what to believe and what not to believe; if it’s there, we can rest in the fact that it can be verified and certified as the God-inspired truth. I sometimes feel that I am inadequate, that I am not enough. It’s easy for me to feel that I am a burden to those around me, with my hang-ups and strange idiosyncrasies. I can get caught up in my shortcomings, who I am not and what I don’t have. During these moments, it’s important that I come back to myself to remember who I am and Whose I am. I have to remember that I’m not captive to anything that contradicts who God says I am.
In the book of Daniel, the names of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the three Hebrew boys and friends of Daniel, were changed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which reflected their Babyonian captivity. Later in chapter 3, the people were commanded to bow to the golden statue of Nebuchadnezzer and worship it or die. We all know the story. The three Hebrew friends of Daniel refused. Daniel 3:16-18 says, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up’” (NLT). The king had put out a lie to the people that he was worthy to be worshiped. The three Hebrew boys recognized that lie and instead chose the truth. They knew that they would be set free- in some shape, form, or fashion, and chose not to buy into the lie. In that moment, they refused to be held hostage.
All throughout the Bible, the truth comes through: to Abraham when he’s told that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars; to Moses when he discovers his Hebrew heritage and is used by God to free his people; to Joseph when, in spite of being sold by his brothers, remains loyal to them; to Pilate’s wife, when in a dream, it is revealed to her who Jesus really is. Although there were many lies woven in all of these scenarios, their origin is the same: the father of lies where no truth exists.
Proverbs 30:5 says, “Everything God says is true— and it’s a shield for all who come to him for safety.” His truth is a shield of protection, a covering, a sure refuge when the lie tries to take us captive. When a lie creeps into your mind to subvert what you know to be true, confront it specifically and immediately remind yourself of what God has said. The truth is already there. It’s your decision to allow it to make you free.
Prayer for Release: God, thank You for Your truth! Thank You that Your Word never fails and that I can always know that in it, I will find the truth: about myself, my life, and the plans You have for me.