Devil's Been Talkin' {Who are YOU listening to?}

Something that has come to my attention multiple times lately is how we as Christians (or, really, as humans, whether we realize it or not) have an enemy who seeks endlessly to put (or keep, if we have not yet found freedom in Christ) us in bondage by making us believe things that are not true. John Eldredge makes this point in his book Waking the Dead, which I re-read on our recent family vacation, and our Perspectives readings for last week covered it as well. In both cases, I was reminded of how crucial it is for us not to make subtle agreements with the lies whispered to us or to allow faulty thinking to creep in and take root, because this gives our enemy a foothold in our hearts and lives.

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Now this week the point came up for me again as I looked up the lyrics to one of my favorite songs from Needtobreathe's new album "The Reckoning." The song is called "Devil's Been Talkin'" and I think it's very cleverly written... I've posted some of the lyrics below, and lest you read it and think, "What a depressing song! Why in the world would this be one of her favorites?!" let me assure you the gloomy lyrics betray the music, which is upbeat -- even celebratory. I think this in and of itself is clever, because upon hearing the song it sounds wonderfully positive, but upon reading the lyrics the true message is revealed... It's only when you take a deeper look that you realize things aren't what they seem. What I think is so brilliant about this song is that it takes lines you could find and relate to in many other songs and then exposes that these thoughts have a sinister origin from someone who would prefer we not be set free by the truth!

As you read the lyrics below, ask yourself how often similar thoughts pass through your mind, and then ask yourself if you tend to accept them as they come without even realizing it or if you recognize them as lies and reject and correct them with Biblical truth...

The ship is setting off to sea
But it’s sailing without me
I can’t help but feel I’m on
An island born to sink
The devil’s been talkin

We can’t change who we are
We are all alone...

And I can’t move
This hell is cold
The chorus sings
This is home
The devil’s been talkin

Bag of bones and blood red cheeks
Guilty from the words I speak
Say the truth will set you free
But it won’t for me
The devil’s been talkin 

These sorts of ideas -- abandonment, inadequacy, shame -- they aren't coming from our Father. On the contrary, HE tells us...

"I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

There is SO MUCH I could say on this topic, but let me sum it up so that this post remains readable:

Our enemy throws lies at us in all sorts of various forms, whether through intentionally hurtful comments, or "innocent" sarcastic comments made by well-meaning friends, or random thoughts that pass through our minds, or the world's ideas of what is "good," or some other source... But our Father speaks, too, through His Word, through other Believers, and through His Spirit -- words of life and hope and freedom and purpose.

My question is, who are YOU listening to?