We’ve all believed lies. The thing about lies is that sometimes we don’t even realize why we believe them because we assume they’re true. I’ll never forget the lie I believed when I was in the fourth grade because, girl, I really thought it was true!

One day, during the morning announcements, our school principal informed us, “We have an infestation of bugs.” His voice was serious and grave.

“The exterminator’s on his way,” he continued, “but he said that these bugs will adhere themselves to the carpet fibers. So, I need everyone to get out of your chairs right now, get down on the floor, and try to find as many of these bugs as possible.”

So, of course, all of my classmates and I jumped into action! But, as soon as we were all on our hands and knees looking for bugs, the principal exclaimed, “April Fool’s Day!”

I had believed him! Friend, I was ready to save the school from the infestation—but it was nothing but a big old lie!

Obviously, that’s a lie from my past that’s simply funny and embarrassing. But the truth is there are some lies from our past that are affecting us even today. They’re coloring our present. They’re impacting our future. And we need to know how to silence these lies from our past.

Well, on this episode of the 4:13 Podcast, Chip Ingram is here to help! You’ll learn how to expose the lies of your past so you can experience who God says you are. You’re going to understand how to live in freedom and fulfill your life purpose as you see how God views you through the lens of Ephesians 1-3.

Chip is the teaching pastor and CEO of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip is the author of many books, including Culture Shock, The Real Heaven, The Real God, and The Invisible War. Chip and his wife, Theresa, live in California and have four grown children and twelve—as in, one dozen—grandchildren.

So, get ready for a power-packed episode of Scripture-based wisdom to help you overcome some of the most formidable stumbling blocks that keep you from discovering your true self.

6 Truths About You From Ephesians 1-3

1. You are wanted (Ephesians 1:1-6). You are not an orphan. You are adopted into God’s family.
2. You are valuable (Ephesians 1:7-10). You were made by God to be who you are, and your value has nothing to do with what you do.
3. You are secure (Ephesians 1:11-14). You are safe in God’s heart and family, and nothing can shake your position there.
4. You are competent (Ephesians 1:15-23). God has made you able, so rise up and do what He’s calling you to do.
5. You are beautiful (Ephesians 2:1-10). You are God’s workmanship. He has made and is making you a beautiful picture of His grace and power.
6. You are called (Ephesians 2:11-3:21). You have a holy ambition from God to know the love that passes knowledge so that you may be filled with the fullness of God.

3 Steps to Help You Silence the Lies From Your Past

1. Recognize unhealthy behavioral patterns. Chip explains how we often believe that we’re only okay or loved or acceptable if or when we do certain things. Our culture further bombards us daily with the message that we’re not acceptable unless. Behind every advertisement is the embedded message, “You don’t measure up.” So, how can we stop believing these lies and start believing what God says is true about us?

   Chip says it begins with recognizing behaviors and patterns that we know aren’t healthy or may even be sinful. For example, you might be a people pleaser. Or, maybe you might sign up for things you don’t have enough capacity for and then blame other people when you feel overwhelmed. It’s possible you might struggle with being co-dependent or with an addiction. Whatever it may be for you, the first step to silencing those lies from your past is recognizing your behavior.

2. Identify the lie behind the behavior. Chip shares how he and his wife both came from very dysfunctional alcoholic homes. They spent the first few years of their marriage discovering that there were lies they believed that caused them to either compensate or withdraw. So, once they recognized the behavior, they started to identify the lie behind it.

   Depending on the behavior, you can ask yourself questions like: Why do I feel like I always have to say yes? Why do I eat when I’m not really hungry? Why do I feel this level of shame about me that I’m not worthy?

3. Replace the lie with the truth. After we’ve identified the lie, we need to replace it with truth from Scripture. Chip says this is the process of renewing our minds. As we read in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” It’s crucial that we fill ourselves with God’s Word, “for the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

   A practical way Chip and his wife renewed their minds was to write the lie they believed on one side of a card. On the other side, they wrote a verse from Scripture with the truth. Through these cards, they reminded themselves that it was okay to want other people to like them, but if they didn’t, that was okay too. They were already loved and completely accepted because they were in Christ. You can do something similar to help you daily renew your mind.

Sister, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that lives in you! That means you can do all things—including silencing the lies from your past—through Christ who gives you strength!

Related Resources

Books & Bible Studies by Jennifer Rothschild

• Me, Myself, & Lies: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself
• Me, Myself, & Lies for Young Women: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself
• Me, Myself, & Lies: A Thought Closet Makeover Bible Study

More from Chip Ingram

• Chip’s website
• Discover Your True Self: How to Silence the Lies of Your Past and Actually Experience Who God Says You Are
• Chip Ingram App
• Follow Chip on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Compassion International

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