Declaring the Truth

There’s a truth about identity in Christ that we must accept. We have to remember to live from identity and not for identity. Our identity is defined by the facts of who we truly are. Who we believe we are determines everything we believe we can do and everything we believe we can become. Our heavenly Father wants us to rid ourselves of the lies we tell and live from a place of true identity - the one that He assigns - instead of our false identity - the one based on lies. This way we can be completely secure in Him.

This requires a shift in mindset - one that makes our identity certain instead of uncertain, makes us look internally instead of externally, and makes us see the absolute truth instead of a relative truth. Dismiss the lie that our identity is uncertain and can be lost or changed at any moment. Dismiss the lie that our external - who are the outside - determines our true identity - instead of the internal - who we are on the inside. Dismiss the lie that our identity is based on comparison, whether we are “better” or “worse” than everyone else. A shift in mindset means you can break free of the lies you’ve been telling yourself.

I met Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith at a Christian writer’s workshop a few years ago and in her book Set Free to Live Free, she talks about the seven types of lies we have to overcome. She says we should: Overcome the lie of perfection. Overcome the lie of envy. Overcome the lie of image. Overcome the lie of balance. Overcome the lie of control. Overcome the lie of emotions. And overcome the lie of limitations.

She’s right. When our hearts hurt and life gets really hard, we need these reminders. I know I sure do and what I’ve found is that declaring my identity in God will increase my faith and decrease any deception.

A few ways to get rid of the lies include reading the Word daily, taking any negative thoughts captive and replacing them with the word so you can debunk the lies you believe about God, yourself and others.

• Eliminate any media habits or online content that remind you of the lies and reinforce the deception.
• Clean up your self-talk and start affirming yourself with healthy and positive words.
• Become friends with people who are emotionally healthy, mentally sound and spiritually strong.
• Turn bad memories into new potential to help and minister to others who have suffered through the same kinds of lies you did.
• Pray for peace, emotional maturity and a community of believers who can help you walk in excellence and can deposit the truths you need within.

God will use everything in your life, including your past and your flaws and your weaknesses, to bring glory to His excellent strength.

From this day forward, there will be no more lies. Lies cannot and will not have the victory in your life. God gave you everything you need to be who he’s called you to be.

Your excellence is within. Your past will not define you, your present will not defeat, and your future will not scare you. You will not be a victim. Or a loser. Or a liar.

Answer these questions and reflect on your answers:

When was the last time you admitted to yourself that you were better than the lies you choose to believe?

Reflect on a moment when you declared a truth. How did it feel?

Affirm and declare these statements:

I will speak the truth.

I believe in the truth of God and Word.

My words and thoughts will be filled with truth.

Pray in petition to God to pursue His will and way.

Want more? Check out the Affirmations of Excellence podcast episode 12 on lies:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerial-ellis/episodes/Episode-12-Lies-ec4j66/a-a1q9dnn