How many of us at one time or another believed a lie or lies we were told as truth? We believed it so much that we began to operate out of that falsehood as if it were the truth? Every decision we made, every compromise, every nuance of our lives were wrapped around and woven in and among this fabrication? It became the foundation upon which we built everything. We failed to measure just how much of an impact this lie had in our lives. Important decisions were weighed against it, what we could and could not do was judged by it, so much so that we became stuck. Stuck in the regimen of keeping up with the lie, making sure the narrative of our life fit the lie; not the other way around of trying to prove it wrong. Stuck so much that our lives look nothing like what God had intended because we were so busy living out the lie(s) we had bought as truth. We spent so much time measuring us against it that we somehow failed to examine the veracity of it. Was it true or was it not. And if not what was the truth and where do we find it?

Before we get to the part about where to find truth, let’s examine some of the lies we have believed; shall we? The lies take many forms. Some come from well meaning people, some from people who are broken and believing lies themselves, and some from situations we had no control over but created an environment to replicate lies.

Being called names; lazy, dumb, stupid, fat, ugly, or anything else you can think of that might create a wound in a persons heart the size of the grand canyon. How about you are too __________ fill in the blank with loud, pointed, direct, much to much take all in one setting, smart for your own good, etc. etc. It can even be some words dressed as “constructive criticism” You smile too much, you don’t smile enough. No one likes you, everyone said I should avoid you, You’re trying too hard, you’re not trying hard enough. Words spoken in haste, with out thought, spoken due to jealousy or poor self esteem and yes, even with malice (because some people are just plain mean) can become the lies we believe about ourselves. But what about those situations outside of our control?

Physical, sexual, spiritual, emotional; really abuse of any kind can leave an negative impression on a person. So much so they begin to believe the lie that whatever happened was deserved. That maybe something they did was the cause of the abuse, that perhaps they were never loveable or because of the abuse they can now no longer be loved. Too, Rejection and betrayal, by those we thought were friends or family, abandonment in critical moments or just abandonment altogether, as well as devastating loss of loved ones can also create environments within our hearts and minds where lies live and are replicated. In the midst of all of that the lies form and can become the foundation upon an entire life being built if our hearts and minds are not steadfastly clinging to truth. So what is this truth I am talking about? and where do we find it?

The truth we need in our lives to build on a firm foundation can only be found in the word of God. The bible. For any situation there is a solution, a parable, a story, a psalm or scripture we can use to combat the lie(s). David himself who was a man after God’s own heart – yet also was overlooked by his family, killed a giant, betrayed someone, was betrayed himself, lost his infant son, lost men in battle, became King and was terrorized by a king – wrote a large majority of the psalms. His story is laced with moments we can glean as a way forward with truth as our guide. And there are many more; Daniel, Bathsheba, Ester, Ruth, Moses, Aaron, the Israelites, Peter, Paul, and yes even Jesus just to name a few.

Why do you think lamentations was written? It was written as a way for the author or authors to express their deep sorrow at the destruction of Jerusalem and their attempt to understand and make sense of it; particularly their role and the role of God in its destruction due to their sin and rebellion. A sin and rebellion that defied God and broke their covenant with him. They bought a lie and lived that lie out. It was contrary to God’s word and his covenant with them. What’s interesting is midway through they come to realize the truth that God is just, faithful, he is the God of hope and restoration. He is filled with love for them and his compassion did not fail them. Truth. Did you get that? God’s truth dismantles the lie(s) by revealing the deception behind the lie(s) we have believed over our lives. His truth alone offers us a perspective rooted in God’s character and his promises.

So how do we get the truth settled into our hearts and minds if we have allowed a lie or lies to permeate our existence? First we must identify the lie(s) we have held as truth. Examine your story for flaws and negative chatter. Hold it up in prayer before God and ask him to illuminate anything he did not or would not say about you. In scripture Paul instructs us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,  2 Corinthians 10:5 .” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 we are reminded to “test everything; hold fast what is good.”

Secondly we combat the lie with scripture found in the bible. For example if the lie is “I am not loved” the truth of what God says is “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3). If the lie is “I am not wanted” the truth is “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand” (Psalm 139:13-18).

If you are uncertain about where to start to find the truth or maybe you don’t have a hard copy of a bible you can download the You Version bible app at https://www.youversion.com/ to get you started. You can also find bible study tools online at: https://www.biblegateway.com/ https://biblehub.com/ https://www.bible.com/ https://www.blueletterbible.org/ ; just to name a few. Each of these websites are searchable, you can read the entire bible here or have it read to you. There are tools you can use to study with and find answers and commentary for tough questions. Just know its a place to start.

Lastly, Its also important to talk with (share) what is going on with a trusted Godly friend or pastor. Give them permission to speak into your life the truth. To cover you in prayer and to pray with you about your situation. Sometimes it is easier to spot the deception someone else believes than it is our own. God’s word says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV and “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV. We were made to be in community with other people. Made to be there for each other; not just in good times but also in the more difficult phases of our lives. We are stronger together and better all the way around when we do life with each other.

Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press).  All Rights Reserved