“External lies kill internal truths” is a stark reminder of the battle for the Truth of God’s Word. It’s a battle waged since the dawn of humanity—a tug-of-war between Truth and deception.
From the Mouth of an Ex-Satanist Turned Pastor: Pastor Billy Crone – Las Vegas
In the heart of Las Vegas, a city often synonymous with illusion, a former Satanist now proclaims a different message as a pastor. His journey from deception to Truth is a modern-day parable of the transformative power of faith. He reveals how the demonic would reveal things to him about what was coming yet opposite to what the Word of God has confirmed, particularly with regard to Apocalyptic events and the rapture. He speaks out against beliefs that deceive and mislead—the ideas that aliens will bring about an apocalyptic rapture or, as these demonic forces put it, that “Earth will cleanse itself” and leave only the ‘chosen’ ones behind. While fascinating, these narratives distort the Truth of the Word of God and create confusion or “a Cover-up of truth”. I call it a Great set-up.
Satan: The Father of Lies
John 8:43-44 reminds us that the devil is the father of lies, a deceiver from the beginning. He doesn’t stand in Truth because there is no truth in him. His lies are his native language.
“Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the Truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” – John 8:43-44 NKJV
The First Deception: Eve in the Garden
Genesis 3 recounts the first Lie told to humanity—a lie that caused Eve to question God’s Word and led to the fall. Satan craftily and subtly twisted God’s words, sowing doubt and deception.
“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, [that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. – Genesis 3:1-7 NKJV
Satan Got Eve to question the fact that she was already created in the image of God, yet Satan said, “in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.” The problem with that was that Eve was already created in the image of God.
” Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;…” Genesis 1:26 NKJV
He also got her to doubt what God said and, more importantly, meant.
Satan’s Strategy Revealed:
Satan uses part-truths, wrapped in enticing packages, to distort our perception of God’s Word. He plays on pride, desires, and the senses, leading us away from divine Truth.
The Antidote to Lies: Jesus in the Wilderness
Contrastingly, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, as recounted in Matthew 4, He responded not with argument but with scripture: “It is written…” He confronted Satan’s lies with God’s eternal truths.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”Jesus said to him, “It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ”Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” – Matthew 4:3-11 NKJV
The Modern Battle: Lies vs. Truth
Today, we face a similar battle. Lies about our identity, worth, and the relevance of God’s word bombard us, seeking to replace the internal truths of God’s Word we hold as believers.
The Power of the Word:
The Truth of the Word of God has the power to silence lies. It releases anointing that destroys yokes, removes burdens, and ushers in God’s favour and blessings.
3 Keys to Silence the Lies: Stand Firm in Truth
#1 Identify Lies: Recognise the areas where Satan is attempting to sow lies in your life.
#2 Abide in the Word: As John 8:31-32 teaches, dwell in Jesus’ teachings. It is the Truth of His Word that sets us free.
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:31-32
To abide means to stay in the Word with expectancy and stand on the promises of God, which are yes and amen, despite the lies or circumstances that contradict themselves.
#3 Discern Deception: Evaluate the narratives that come your way. Do they align with scripture, or do they pull you away from it?
The Parable of the Lie and the Truth:
A short story that has resonated through the ages tells of the Truth and the Lie bathing together.
“The Lie said to the Truth, “Let’s take a bath together; the well water is very nice. The Truth, still suspicious, tested the water and found out it was excellent. So they got naked and bathed. But suddenly, the Lie leapt out of the water and fled, wearing the clothes of the Truth. The Truth, furious, climbed out of the well to get her clothes back. But the World, upon seeing the naked Truth, looked away, with anger and contempt. Poor Truth returned to the well and disappeared forever, hiding her shame.
Since then, the Lie Has run around the World dressed as the Truth, and society is very happy because the World has no desire to know the naked Truth.”
The Lie steals the Truth’s clothes and parades around the World, leaving the Truth to hide in shame. This allegory speaks to the allure of lies and our reluctance to confront the often uncomfortable naked Truth.
Conclusion: The Victory of Truth
Our World is awash with lies dressed as Truth. It is our responsibility to seek the naked Truth, to stand firm in what we know to be divinely inspired, and not be swayed by the false realities that the World, in its fear and confusion, would have us embrace. The story of the woman and the python is a chilling reminder that not everything that appears benign is harmless. The enemy’s lies are not passive; they are active and aggressive. But armed with the Word, we can disarm these lies and live in the light of God’s Truth.
Final Encouragement:
In this World of shadows and mirages, let us commit to seeking and living by the naked Truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. In this pursuit, we find freedom, life, and reality as they were meant to be.
This blog was inspired by Ps Shaun’s message at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 24th of March, 2024. You can watch the full message below.