Lent 2025 – Prayers for Repentance – Repenting of Deception – Purity 1605
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Good morning,
Today’s photo of a highway pathway rounding a bend through some early autumn-colored hills comes to us from Michael Clark who shared this scene on social media back on October 20th, 2023.
Well, it’s Thursday and I share this highway pathway scene a visual reminder to get out there and see something and, of course, to get on or to stay on the path of Christian discipleship. I have often stated in the past that the “first rule” of Christian Discipleship is to be honest, to tell the truth in all your dealings, or simply to stop lying!
The world teaches us the usefulness of deception and telling lies can be a tough habit to break but if we want to follow Jesus, it is essential that we repent of our deceitful ways and start living by the truth of God’s word.
There is no better time than the season of Lent to “give up” lying and today I am sharing the 2001 version of Step 2 of the Steps to Freedom in Christ by Dr. Neil Anderson to help us to resolve our issues with deception. (I will be providing commentary on the podcast regarding these prayers and invite you to listen on whatever podcast platform you listen to (search The MT4Christ247 Podcast) or to watch it on YouTube here). You can also download these prayers as a free PDF download on the blog today, as well : Deception Vs. Truth.) Dr. Neil Anderson writes:
Deception vs. Truth
God’s Word is true, and we need to accept His truth in the innermost part of our being (see Psalm 51:6). Whether or not we feel it is true, we need to believe it is true! Jesus is the truth, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, the Word of God is truth, and we are admonished to speak the truth in love (see John 14:6; 16:13; 17:17; Ephesians 4:15).
The believer in Christ has no business deceiving others by lying, telling white lies, exaggerating, stretching the truth, or anything relating to falsehoods. Satan is the father of lies and he seeks to keep people in bondage through deception. It is the truth in Jesus that sets us free (see John 8:32–36, 44; 2 Timothy 2:26; Revelation 12:9). We will find real joy and freedom when we stop living a lie and live openly in the truth. After confessing his sin, King David wrote, “How blessed [happy] is the man … in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (Psalm 32:2).
We have been called to walk in the light (see 1 John 1:7). When we are sure God loves and accepts us, we can be free to own up to our sins and face reality, instead of running and hiding from the truth and painful circumstances.
Start this step by praying the following prayer aloud. Don’t let any threatening, opposing thoughts, such as, This is a waste of time or I wish I could believe this, but I just can’t, keep you from praying and choosing the truth. Even if this is difficult for you, work your way through this step. God will strengthen you as you rely on Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know that You want me to know the truth, believe the truth, speak the truth and live in accordance with the truth. Thank You that it is the truth that will set me free. In many ways I have been deceived by Satan, the father of lies, and I have deceived myself as well.
Father, I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by virtue of His shed blood and Resurrection, asking You to rebuke all evil spirits that are deceiving me.
I have trusted in Jesus alone to save me, and so I am Your forgiven child. Therefore, since You accept me just as I am in Christ, I can be free to face my sin and not try to hide. I ask for the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth. I ask You to “search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” In the name of Jesus, who is the truth, amen.
There are many ways in which Satan, the god of this world, seeks to deceive us. Just as he did with Eve, the devil tries to convince us to rely on ourselves and to try to get our needs met through the world around us, rather than trusting in the provision of our Father in heaven.
The following exercise will help you discover ways you may have been deceived. Check each area of deception that the Lord brings to your mind and confess it, using the prayer following the list.
Ways You Can Be Deceived by the World
- Believing that acquiring money and things will bring lasting happiness (see Matthew 13:22; 1 Timothy 6:10)
- Believing that excessive food and alcohol can relieve my stress and make me happy (see Proverbs 20:1; 23:19–21)
- Believing that an attractive body and personality will get me what I want (see Proverbs 31:30; 1 Peter 3:3, 4)
- Believing that gratifying sexual lust will bring lasting satisfaction (see Ephesians 4:22; 1 Peter 2:11)
- Believing that I can sin without any negative consequences (see Hebrews 3:12, 13)
- Believing that I need more than what God has given me in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 11:2–4, 13–15)
- Believing that I can do whatever I want and no one can touch me (see Proverbs 16:18; Obadiah 3; 1 Peter 5:5)
- Believing that unrighteous people who refuse to accept Christ go to heaven anyway (see 1 Corinthians 6:9–11)
- Believing that I can associate with bad company and not become corrupted (see 1 Corinthians 15:33, 34)
- Believing that I can read, see or listen to anything and not be corrupted (see Proverbs 4:23–27; 6:27, 28; Matthew 5:28)
- Believing that there are no consequences on earth for my sin (see Galatians 6:7, 8)
- Believing that I must gain the approval of certain people in order to be happy (see Galatians 1:10)
- Believing that I must measure up to certain standards in order to feel good about myself (see Galatians 3:2, 3; 5:1)
Lord, I confess that I have been deceived by . I thank You for Your forgiveness, and I commit myself to believing only Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
It is important to know that in addition to being deceived by the world, false teachers and deceiving spirits, we can also deceive ourselves. Now that you are alive in Christ, completely forgiven and totally accepted, you don’t need to defend yourself the way you used to. Christ is now your defense. Confess the ways the Lord shows you that you have deceived yourself or wrongly defended yourself by using the following lists and prayers of confession:
Ways You Deceive Yourself
- Hearing God’s Word but not doing what it says (see James 1:22)
- Saying that I have no sin (see 1 John 1:8)
- Thinking I am something I’m really not (see Galatians 6:3)
- Thinking I am wise in this worldly age (see 1 Corinthians 3:18, 19)
- Thinking I can be truly religious but not bridle my tongue (see James 1:26)
Lord, I confess that I have deceived myself by. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I commit myself to believing only Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ways You Wrongly Defend Yourself
- Denial of reality (conscious or unconscious)
- Fantasy (escaping reality by daydreaming, watching TV or movies, listening to music, playing computer or video games, abusing drugs or alcohol, etc.)
- Emotional insulation (withdrawing from people or keeping people at a distance to avoid rejection)
- Regression (reverting back to less threatening times)
- Displaced anger (taking out frustrations on innocent people)
- Projection (blaming others for my problems)
- Rationalization (making excuses for my own poor behavior)
- Lying (presenting a false image)
Lord, I confess that I have defended myself wrongly by. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I now commit myself to trusting in You to defend and protect me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Choosing the truth may be hard for you if you have been believing lies for many years. You may need some ongoing counseling to help weed out any defense mechanisms you have relied on to cope with life. Every Christian needs to learn that Christ is the only defense he or she needs. Realizing that you are already forgiven and accepted by God through Christ will help free you up to place all your dependence on Him.
Faith is the biblical response to the truth, and believing what God says is a choice we all can make. If you say, “I wish I could believe God, but I just can’t,” you are being deceived. Of course, you can believe God because what God says is always true. Believing is something you choose to do, not something you feel like doing.
The Truth About Your Father God
A major deception of the enemy is to cause us to equate our feelings about our Father God with the way our parents or other authority figures in our lives may have failed or mistreated us. If you harbor negative feelings from your past or present authority relationships, if you find it difficult to love or feel loved by God, if you have difficulty trusting God, it would be important for you to gain freedom from those misconceptions. A true understanding of God is foundational to your freedom. (See appendix C, p. 47.)
Are You Fearful and Anxious?
Anxiety and plaguing fears can control our lives and prevent us from walking by faith in the surpassing victory that is ours in Christ. If you feel that anxiety and fear are preventing you from living with boldness and confidence in God’s presence and power in your life, you need to renounce them specifically to gain the freedom that is yours in Christ. (See appendices D and E, pp. 49–58.)
The New Age movement has twisted the concept of faith by saying that we make something true by believing it. No, we can’t create reality with our minds; only God creates reality. We can only face reality with our minds. Faith is choosing to believe and act upon what God says, regardless of feelings or circumstances. Believing something does not make it true. It’s true; therefore, we choose to believe it.
Just having faith is not enough. The key question is whether the object of your faith is trustworthy. If the object of your faith is not reliable, then no amount of believing will change it. That is why our faith must be on the solid rock of God and His Word. That is the only way to live a responsible and fruitful life. On the other hand, if what you believe in is not true, then you will not experience the freedom that only the truth can bring.
For two thousand years, Christians have known the importance of publicly declaring what they believe. Read aloud the following Statement of Truth, thinking about what you are saying. You may find it very helpful to read it daily for several weeks to renew your mind with the truth and replace any lies you may be believing.
Statements of Truth
1. I recognize that there is only one true and living God who exists as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is worthy of all honor, praise and glory as the One who made all things and holds all things together (see Exodus 20:2, 3; Colossians 1:16, 17).
2. I recognize that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. I believe that He came to destroy the works of the devil, and that He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them, having triumphed over them (see John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8).
3. I believe that God demonstrated His own love for me in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. I believe that He has delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to His kingdom, and in Him I have redemption and the forgiveness of sins (see Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:13, 14).
4. I believe that I am now a child of God and that I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies. I believe that I was saved by the grace of God through faith, and that it was a gift and not a result of any works on my part (see Ephesians 2:6, 8, 9; 1 John 3:1–3).
5. I choose to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. I put no confidence in the flesh, for the weapons of warfare are not of the flesh but are divinely powerful for the destruction of strongholds. I put on the full armor of God. I resolve to stand firm in my faith and resist the evil one (see 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10–20; Philippians 3:3).
6. I believe that apart from Christ I can do nothing, so I declare my complete dependence on Him. I choose to abide in Christ in order to bear much fruit and glorify my Father. I announce to Satan that Jesus is my Lord. I reject any and all counterfeit gifts or works of Satan in my life (see John 15:5, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:3).
7. I believe that the truth will set me free, and that Jesus is the truth. If He sets me free, I will be free indeed. I recognize that walking in the light is the only path of true fellowship with God and man. Therefore, I stand against all of Satan’s deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ. I declare that the Bible is the only authoritative standard for truth and life (see John 8:32, 36; 14:6; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 John 1:3–7).
8. I choose to present my body to God as a living and holy sacrifice, and the members of my body as instruments of righteousness. I choose to renew my mind by the living Word of God in order that I may prove that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect. I put off the old self with its evil practices and put on the new self. I declare myself to be a new creation in Christ (see Romans 6:13; 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9, 10, NIV).
9. By faith, I choose to be filled with the Spirit so that I can be guided into all truth. I choose to walk by the Spirit so that I will not carry out the desires of the flesh (see John 16:13; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18).
10. I renounce all selfish goals and choose the ultimate goal of love. I choose to obey the two greatest commandments: to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself (see Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37–39; 1 Timothy 1:5).
11. I believe that the Lord Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and He is the head over all rule and authority. I am complete in Him. I believe that Satan and his demons are subject to me in Christ since I am a member of Christ’s body. Therefore, I obey the command to submit to God and resist the devil, and I command Satan in the name of Jesus Christ to leave my presence (see Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:19–23; Colossians 2:10; James 4:7).[1]
You can download these prayers and declarations as a free PDF here: Deception Vs. Truth.
Amen. In this season of Lent, we want to draw closer to God and an integral part of how we do that is about coming clean with the ways we have been deceived, deceived ourselves, or wrongly defend ourselves, and committing ourselves to the Truth that is revealed in God’s word. I pray these prayers will bless you.
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For those who want more evidence for Christianity than my simple encouragements provide, I offer apologist, Frank Turek’s website, https://crossexamined.org/.
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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling” By John G. Kruis.
(While Bible verses on various topics of Counseling can be found with a quick Google search, we encourage you to purchase this resource to support the late author’s work. (The Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling By John G. Kruis on Amazon )
This morning’s meditation verse comes from the section on Loving and Serving Others.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Today’s verse falls under the thirteenth point of our counseling reference guide’s resource section on Loving and Serving Others.
13. Don’t become weary in doing good.
Today’s Bible verse is a wonderful encouragement to the saints to keep doing the right thing – do good – and to help us to persevere.
I have never heard this phrase before but if there is such a thing as “the saint’s dilemma” it is persevering in doing the right things when the entire world seems to be against us, are doing things contrary to God’s word, and our efforts seem miniscule in relation to the scope of the problems that our ministry is trying to solve.
Paul gets it and that is why he tells the early church, which suffered intense persecution, to not grow weary and to never give up in doing good. Christ is our example. Even when He was hated and knew that His ministry would lead to death on the cross, He was faithful to continue doing good right up until His spirit left His body.
Even on the cross, Christ forgave the people who had crucified and mocked Him. Even on the cross, He extended grace to the thief crucified next to Him.
With Jesus’ example in our minds and touching our hearts, let’s never grow tired of doing good and let’s never give up.
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As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.com where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.
Today we continue sharing from “Day by Day Along the Way” By Jay E. Adams.
As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage you all to purchase Adams’ books for your own private study and to support the late author’s work. This resource is available online for less than $20 at many sites.
Day 104
… we speak not to please people but God Who tests our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
There are many people-pleasers in both the pulpit and the pew. Paul refused to be one of them—and often suffered for it. If he had only gone over to the Judaizers, espousing circumcision, much of the persecution that he suffered could have been avoided (cf. Galatians 6:12, 13). But to do so would have compromised the Gospel, making salvation a matter of ceremonies and works. And, of even greater consequence, it would have displeased the Lord. Paul was acutely aware of the fact that God knew what he was thinking at all times. He could not get away with compromising the truth for the sake of personal safety or gain; God, testing his heart, would expose such hypocrisy. You may think that you can do what Paul says is impossible—please people in ways that you know do not please God—and get away with it! Forget it. True, others cannot examine your motives; you may fool them. But God does what men cannot do—He tests the hearts. He knows you inside and out, and He responds accordingly.[2]
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[1] Neil T. Anderson, The Steps to Freedom in Christ, ed. Pam Weston and Patti Pennington Virtue, Revised (Gospel Light, 2001), 12–18.
[2] Jay E. Adams, Day by Day along the Way (Cordova, TN: Institute for Nouthetic Studies, 2020), 112.
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