The Lies Women Believe...How it all Began (Intro.)

For this first installment of the Lies Women Believe And the Truth that Sets Them Free Bible Study, we will be covering the introduction and prologue found on pages 15-28. Before we begin, I hope you will keep this study and all who are participating in prayer. The Truth is a powerful thing, and the Deceiver does not want us to find freedom in the truth of God's word. I'll share a little secret with you. Almost every time I post something spiritual on this blog or speak publicly about what God has done, I am attacked spiritually in that area of my life. (The week I shared about my hormonal struggle, I was a basket case of emotion, crying in public...just a complete puddle!) So, know going in...some of these truths may be difficult to hear and it may be even more difficult to take the necessary steps to seek freedom in those areas in which we struggle. Praying for each other is key. There are some strongholds that will not come down without focused, intentional prayer! On our own, we are powerless against a fierce enemy and a weak flesh, but with the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our weaknesses, find victory over our failures, restoration in the brokenness, and healing for our wounds. God is able! Freedom is waiting for us, freedom from so many of the bondages that hold us back.

Let's get started...

I'll begin by sharing some of the points that spoke to me, and I hope you will share yours as well. I want it to be easy to participate, so I'll include a Linky if you want to do a post about this topic and link here...or you may feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section of this post...or, we can have further discussion on the blog frog discussion on the right sidebar. (We'll start the blog frog discussions next week when we delve into actual topics. This week is just intro. stuff.) That way we can have a conversation-type discussion that all can participate in. Whatever makes it easiest for you to join in....we like grace here, as you can see!

Nancy takes us on a journey to the Garden of Eden, where the deception began....the birthplace of our battle with sin, death, and all that goes along with it. Oh, how God meant something different for us. It first struck me so powerfully when I visited The Creation Museum with James and our church family last spring...the beauty that God meant for His people and for all of creation. And the devastating destruction that ensued from the Fall.

Flash to today...thousands of years later. The same lies stealing our energy...our joy...our freedom. Women walking around...or running around in many cases...with a "soul sickness". Full schedules, but an emptiness in our hearts. Busy, busy, busy...but with distracted hearts and minds. Some of the adjectives in the introduction hit the nail on the head...for me and for many of my friends in real life and blog land.

frazzled
exhausted
defeated
confused
depressed
ashamed
burned-out
overwhelmed
discouraged
fearful
lonely
insecure

The list goes on...

Nancy talks about bondage...about not being free. The bondage faced, not just by those following the "world's" formula for success...but Christians as well. Women praying beside you at a prayer group, sitting in the church pew lifting their voices in worship, standing behind a podium sharing their testimony. These are the struggles we don't talk about...the struggles behind our smiles and nods. Bondage to our past....our sins and failures...the need for the approval of others...unhealthy attitudes in relation to food.

None of it is what God intended for us.

Jesus said, "I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Here are some of the adjectives He wants for our lives:

free
gracious
loving
confident
contented
stable
joyous
peaceful
radiant

Nancy shares the root of our struggles is that we have been lied to...deceived. So, the answer...the key to freedom lies in dispelling the deception with the truth...shining light in the dark places. That may mean we have to walk in and acknowledge some of those dark places...even if just to ourselves. Sometimes that is really tough. But, when Nancy talks about "believing and acting on the Truth (as) our means to freedom - not just survival, not escape  - but true, glorious freedom, in the midst of this fallen, corrupt, hurting world" I find myself saying...I want that.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again with the yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

I have been set free...and, in some areas, I have allowed myself to become burdened again with the yoke of slavery. The standing firm part seems to be the key. We have to resist the temptation to allow what Jesus has set us free from to creep back into our lives and take over again. As we discuss each "lie", I will share more in depth some of the areas I struggle with, and I hope we can share, encourage, and pray for each other in the coming weeks.

In the prologue, Nancy takes us back to the garden...and we see Eve's heart. I love how she becomes real to us in this book...a woman with the same longings...the same feelings that we have today. There is a reason Satan uses the same lies He used thousands of years ago, ladies. It's because they still work. Our world may look much different, and move at a faster pace. But, many things...the core things underneath it all, in the depths of our hearts and souls...they haven't changed. We may want to tell ourselves how much more intelligent and evolved we are as a society. We can say it if we want, I suppose, but it's really not true. Not in the eternal things that truly matter. In those areas...our struggles are no different than those Adam and Eve faced in the garden.

This study from Nancy Leigh DeMoss's book, Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free, is going to be revealing and stripping...and hopefully liberating and healing. I'm really looking forward to it, and hope you'll join in with us. I'll include a linky if you have something to post on this week's topic, but if not that's o.k. You are always welcome to share your heart in the comments section. Since this is just an intro., we will wait until next week to add a discussion to the blog frog. If you need a book, they are available at your local Christian bookstore, http://www.cbd.com/, Amazon, your local library, or let us know if you are unable to get one. I have ordered a couple extra copies and we will gladly mail you one. This is a book/study you do not want to miss, ladies. It is truly worth your time...and believe me, I know how fleeting and valuable time is for a busy woman!

Next week (January 10th), we will be covering Chapter One - Truth or Consequences. Week Three (January 17th) we will begin to get into the nitty gritty with Chapter Two - Lies Women Believe...About God.