How to Stop Surrendering to the Father of Lies

We surrender far too easily.  The thoughts come, folks, and we just let them come.  The Father of Lies whispers, and we listen.  We set the rewind button and play that same old destructive tape again and again and again.  We wave the white flag and give up without a fight.

But we don't have to.  We don't have to surrender to the Father of Lies.  

Finally brothers,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, 

if there is any excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, 

think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me --

practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

When the Father of Lies whispers in your ear, don't surrender.  Here's how … Take the thoughts captive to the foot of the cross…

 … and replace them with thoughts that meet these 8 criteria:  

1. True

What you're thinking about … Is it true? Jesus and his word are true.  The enemy is the father of lies.  A deceiver.  Consider what you're thinking about.  Consider the self-talk.  Is it true?  

2. Honorable

Who are you thinking about?  Not just passing a passing thought, but thinking about it a way that you want to emulate.  Is she honorable?  Does he carry the presence of God into his world?  Who are you thinking about?  

3. Just

What activities do you think about?  Do you think about work that advances God's passion for the oppressed, for the widow, for the orphan?  Consider engaging in causes that magnify God's heart for justice.  Does the activity you're considering reflect God's passion?  

4. Pure

Is your thought life pure?  With so much media stimulation, this is so hard. Protect your eyes. Get  protection on your computer, and every computer in your household.  Look away from the magazines in the checkout line.  And teach the boys in your home to look at girls' faces.  Are your thoughts pure?  

5. Lovely

Are you thoughts winsome?  Lovely thoughts are more than just beautiful thoughts.  They are thoughts that call forth love in others.  When you think about the people in your life, think about the qualities that you find amazing, and wonderful, and dear.  Choose to think gracious thoughts, generous thoughts, kind thoughts. Do your thoughts call forth love?

6. Commendable

If you speak your thoughts about someone, would it add to their good reputation?  Choose to see the positive, think the positive, and consider the positive that you could publicly say about the people in your life.  Be specific.  Do you think about people in a way that would add to their good reputation?

7. Excellence

When you see excellence in this world, do you take time to think about it?  Are you able to appreciate excellence, or does seeing excellence in someone else stir up jealousy? Choose to recognize and value virtue, a job done well, a person fulfilling their purpose.  Do you pause to appreciate excellence? 

8. Praiseworthy

Do you celebrate the everyday accomplishments that God says is good?  Pause and notice life-giving activities of the people in your life.  The cup of water offered.  The door held open.  The kind word spoken.  Notice, think, and express the beauty of these moment.  Do you think about the praiseworthy in the everyday?  

What would your life be like

• if you would stop surrendering to the Father of Lies? 
• if you would stop waving the white flag and deliver the lies to the foot of the cross?
• if you would replace the lies with thoughts truth and honor and justice and purity and loveliness
• If you would appreciate excellence and affirm the good?

Let's do it.  Let's stop surrendering to the Father of Lies.  Are you with me?  

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