Doug and I have been studying “Don’t Give the Enemy A Seat At Your Table” by Louis Giglio the last few weeks with our Singles Ministry Group. I’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time and have watched a lot of saints on their journey throughout the course of my life. One thing that I know has been a common thread through the years is that the enemy of our soul loves to tell us lies. In fact, Jesus tells us in John 8:44 that the devil “was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” And he is very sly when he suggests things to your mind. He doesn’t come at you wearing a red cape and carrying a pitchfork. No, he comes very subtly, and as the Bible states in 2 Corinthians 11:14, he will disguise himself as an angel of light. Sometimes his lies appear to be helpful, but beware because it is a trap to entangle you. In Louis Giglio’s book, he talks about God preparing a table before us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5), and how this table is only a table for two – me (you) and Jesus. There is no seat for the enemy. Many times, though, he is prowling around the table, trying to distract us, and then he will pull up a chair and invite himself to our table. It’s then he begins filling our minds with thoughts and beliefs that do not align with Scripture. The enemy of our soul wants these lies to echo in our minds until they travel down to our hearts and become a stronghold. But we don’t have to give in to that temptation. Instead we can keep our eyes focused on Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and allow our minds to be renewed in Christ (Romans 12:2) the moment we realize the enemy has been whispering lies to us. Louis gives us 5 different lies that the enemy commonly uses to keep us from becoming who God wants and to prevent us from fully walking in our calling. These are:
- The Lie of Comparison – This is the lie that the grass is greener over there….
- The Lie That You Are Doomed – This suggests that you will not make it and there is no hope and no way out of your situation.
- The Lie of Worthlessness – Believing that you are not good enough. This lie can also show up as an overinflated ego in addition to an underinflated ego.
- The Lie of Me Against The World – This is the lie that everyone hates you or is against you. The enemy wants to isolate you because that’s where seeds of doubt can truly grow.
- The Lie that There is No Way Out – This is the lie that makes you feel like you are surrounded and there is no way forward and no where to run.
If you find yourself today wrapped up in the lies of the enemy, allow yourself to sit at the table with Jesus, fix your gaze on Him, and ask him to quiet the noise of the enemy. In the stillness, open the Word and allow Him to speak life and truth into you.
If you’ve never read this book by Louis Giglio, make some time to dig into it. It truly can be a game changer for those moments the enemy bombards you and invites himself to the table God has prepared only for you!!
