Our war on lies.

If you could describe Satan in one word, what would it be?

For me, the best word is simple: liar.

That’s why the New Testament writers so often warn us to be aware of his schemes.

1 Peter 5:8–9
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Satan has always waged war against humanity, and his playbook has always been lies.

Think back to Eden. How did he tempt Adam and Eve? They had peace with God. They even walked with Him in the garden. So what could possibly get them to turn away?
Satan planted doubt—making them question whether God truly had their best interests at heart.

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Here’s the thing: if there’s one thing our world is struggling with today, it’s figuring out what is true. And we are up against an enemy who has long opposed everything good, beautiful, and reflective of God’s image.

So how do we combat his lies?

There’s only one way—with truth. And the Bible is God’s truth.

John 8:31–32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

My prayer is that we would become people so deeply formed by Scripture that we can stand against the lies of this age.

Scripture itself is a weapon. When Jesus battled Satan in the wilderness, He recited Scripture. He was so deeply shaped by God’s Word that He could stand firm and say no. Of course, Jesus was also fasting and led by the Spirit, but notice this: His resistance was rooted in knowing and wielding the truth of Scripture.

Which raises a hard question: Are we being shaped more by lies than by God’s truth?

What if you took an honest inventory of what you consume daily—podcasts, news, social media, entertainment? What’s shaping you the most?

Let me be the first to admit, I often take in too much. There are moments when I’m simply called to shut off all the noise and rest in the stillness with God.

But every time I open the scriptures, I open my heart and mind to reality.

Now Is Not the Time to Cower

Church, this is not the time to shrink back. Our world desperately needs unmistakable followers of Jesus—people deeply formed by the Word of God. We are called to fight! But hear me clearly: not against people. Your neighbor is not your enemy.

The Apostle Paul put it this way:

Ephesians 6:12
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.

So how do we fight lies? With God’s truth.

So I challenge you: how can you make Scripture and the reading of it a steady rhythm in your life? Remember, this isn’t about adding more to our already busy schedules. Instead, take an honest inventory—what could you set aside or remove from your daily routine and replace with time in God’s Word?

One last comment. We do this not to get God’s love, but from a place of Love. We do this out of His immense love toward us. The eventual goal is that we would become people of agape (love).

With much love,
Pastor Josh