Lies and God’s Truth
Grow Closer to God
Lies and God’s Truth
We are constantly being bombarded with lies that keep us from doing the good work God has for us, but God has given us powerful truth in his Word! We can use this truth to combat lies, grow in our faith, grow closer to God, and continue to make a difference in the lives of children.
The Lie: You will never amount to anything.
Ephesians 2:10 (AMP): For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP): For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.
The Lie: God doesn’t care about you.
John 3:16-17 (AMP): 16 “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.
Zephaniah 3:17 (MEV): The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One, who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 56:8 (MSG): You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.
The Lie: Your sins are too bad to forgive.
1 John 1:9 (AMP): If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].
Romans 5:8 (AMP): But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:1 (AMP): Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].
Psalm 103:2-6 (AMP): 2 Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits; 3 Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle. 6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all the oppressed.
Psalm 34:18 (AMP): The Lord is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin).
The Lie: You will never be well again.
Isaiah 40:31 (AMP): But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.
Psalm 147:3 (AMP): He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].
Proverbs 4:20-22 (AMP): 20 My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh.
The Lie: You are alone.
God’s Truth:
Joshua 1:9 (AMP): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 23:1-6 (AMP): 1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.
The Lie: There is no hope.
Lamentations 3:19-33 (AMP): 19 Remember [O Lord] my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness). 20 My soul continually remembers them And is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; “Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. 26 It is good that one waits quietly For the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke [of godly discipline] in his youth. 28 Let him sit alone [in hope] and keep quiet, Because God has laid it on him [for his benefit]. 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust [in recognition of his unworthiness]; There may yet be hope. 30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him; Let him be filled with reproach. 31 For the Lord will not reject forever, 32 For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness and tender mercy. 33 For He does not afflict willingly and from His heart Or grieve the children of men.
Romans 8:28 (AMP): And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Psalm 9:9-10 (AMP): 9 The Lord also will be a refuge and a stronghold for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble; 10 And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.
The Lie: God will not answer your prayer.
John 14:14 (AMP): If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it. Note: Acting as Jesus’ representative means that the person calling on His name is in a close relationship with Him and wants what He wants.
Psalm 34:4 (AMP): I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
The Lie: You are in a very bad position, in serious trouble from which there is no escape.
John 14:27 (AMP): Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
Philippians 4:19 (AMP): And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-29 (AMP): 28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.
Psalm 34:7 (AMP): The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience], And He rescues [each of] them.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (AMP): 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
The Lie: You are not loved.
Romans 8:37-39 (AMP): 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. 38 For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 (AMP): But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16-17 (AMP): 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Psalm 32:10 (MEV): Many sorrows come to the wicked, but lovingkindness will surround the man who trusts in the Lord.
The Lie: You will never be able to stop succumbing to temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP): No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
James 4:7 (AMP): So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
The Lie: Our nation is too far gone/we are doomed.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP): and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.
The Lie: You continue to stumble. You are a failure and you just need to give up.
Psalm 37:23-24 (AMP): 23 The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. 24 When he falls, he will not be hurled down, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.
Luke 22:31-32 (AMP): 31 Then the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have repented, strengthen your brothers.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 (AMP): My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh.
Philippians 4:13 (AMP): I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
The Lie: You keep thinking about it, so you must do it (or believe it). You cannot stop yourself.
Mark 14:37-38 (AMP): 37 And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Were you unable to keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep [actively] watching and praying so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the [a] body is weak.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (MEV): 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, 5 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
1 Peter 5:9 (AMP): 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]
Proverbs 4:14-15 (AMP): 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not go the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
James 4:7 (AMP): So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
Philippians 4:8 (AMP): Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
The Lie: God doesn’t know you and doesn’t think of you. You are not important.
Luke 12:6-7 (AMP): 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two [a] copper coins? Yet not one of them has [ever] been forgotten in the presence of God. 7 Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are far more valuable than many sparrows.
Psalm 139:13-14 (MEV): 13 You brought my inner parts into being; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder; marvelous are Your works, and You know me completely.
The Lie: You are alone. You have no one you can trust.
Psalm 56:3-4 (AMP): 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise; In God I have put my trust; I shall not fear. What can mere man do to me?
Psalm 52:8 (AMP): But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust [confidently] in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (AMP): “Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. 8 “For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, That spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; But its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought Nor stop bearing fruit.
The Lie: You have no one now that your mother and father are not with you.
Psalm 27:10 (AMP): Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].
2 Corinthians 6:18(AMP): “And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters”, says the Lord Almighty.
The Lie: Look at all the things you don’t have that others around you have. Life is so unfair.
Proverbs 14:30 (CEV): It’s healthy to be content, but envy can eat you up.
Philippians 4:19 (MEV): But my God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (AMP): 6 But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so [it is clear that] we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (AMP): 5 Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
The Lie: After all they (or that person) have done to you, you can never forgive them and you need to avenge yourself for the wrongs done to you.
Romans 12:17-21 (AMP): 17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 6:14-15 (AMP): 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.
Luke 17:4 (AMP): Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (AMP): 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Proverbs 20:22 (AMP): Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.
Proverbs 24:29 (AMP): Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.”
1 Peter 3:8-9 (AMP): 8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; 9 and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].
Ephesians 4:26-27 (AMP): 26 Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. 27 And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].
The Lie: In this crazy world we live in you should be fearful, anxious, tired, and stressed all the time.
Matthew 6:25-34 (AMP): 25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by worrying can add one [a] hour to [the length of] his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (MEV): 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV): 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 (MEV): 29 He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 31 but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
Exodus 20:8-11 (MEV): 8 Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or your sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP): 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Lie: You can never have too much pride and self-confidence, and if you don’t promote yourself who will?
1 Peter 5:5 (AMP): Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.
James 4:10 (AMP): Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].
Psalm 10:4 (AMP): In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Proverbs 8:13 (MEV): The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
Proverbs 16:18 (AMP): Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
James 1:16-18 (AMP): 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].
Matthew 25:29 (AMP): “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away.
James 4:13-16 (AMP): 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit,” 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you are rejoicing in your boastings. All such rejoicing is evil.
Proverbs 27:1-2 (AMP): 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
The Lie: With all you have been through and have to put up with, getting angry and blowing up every now and then is okay. People will get over it.
Psalm 37:8 (AMP): Cease from anger and abandon wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evil.
Proverbs 14:29 (AMP): He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].
Proverbs 15:1 (AMP): A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
James 1:19-20 (AMP): 19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
Ephesians 4:26 (AMP): 26 Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. 27 Do not give place to the devil. 28 Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to the listeners. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. 32 And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
1 Peter 3:8-12 (AMP): 8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; 9 and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]. 10 For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit). 11 “He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].
12 “For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.”