Living a Secret Life

Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash

Stand therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. – Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

Secret lies we tell ourselves suck the life from our soul.

There have been times in my Christian walk where I have not only believed Satan’s lies, but have fueled those lies with selfishness, doubt, or fear. Oh, the tangled web we weave when we believe the lies rather than choosing the freedom that comes by remaining anchored in Jesus Christ.

In a very vulnerable season of my life, I believed every lie the enemy fed me. Satan is a master at manipulation, and in my weakened state I was a perfect target. Looking back now, I have learned that by not being grounded in God’s Word, I was unprepared for the evil games the enemy plays. Rather than questioning the lies, my lonely heart consumed them like sweet honey. Spoonful after gooey spoonful, the lies became truth in my mind.

Acting on the lies, I so easily believed them as truth, which spun me into a secret life; a life of bondage to sinful choices. I kid you not, Satan was so deceptive that he twisted Biblical scripture to convince me that my choices were God’s will for my life. I became addicted to the addiction of not feeling. Sadly, at that time, biblical discernment was not something I was familiar with.

Isn’t it heartbreaking how many Christ-followers are led astray because we do not fully engage in God’s Word and will for our lives?

I recently heard the statement, ‘We are as sick as our secrets or as free as we are honest.’ My secret life of lies was eating me alive. My belly was full of lies—those of my own doing and those of Satan’s devious ploys, so that my body became physically toxic. I desperately needed saving from the pit of hell I was walking in. I did not trust myself, and I certainly did not trust anyone else. The only One left was Jesus.

For months, night after night, I poured my heart out in prayer. In the beginning, it was as if I spiritually vomited the evil bile I had been carrying. The cleansing battle had just begun. The underlying cause – selfishness, doubt, and fear would randomly bubble up as ulcers on my soul. Each one required time in prayer and biblical study as I slowly turned them over to God.

Eventually, I traded the bondage of sin for the freedom in Jesus Christ. For one with a history of trust issues, it was not easy to trust that God could and would heal my

brokenness. It took time to fully lean on Him and release my stubborn, selfish pride. I can tell you, with absolute confidence, that it was the greatest decision I have ever made.

The level of our confession equates to the depth of our healing. Our sinful nature has

consequences and residual fallout, but with Jesus we can endure the path. Whatever lie, whatever unhealthy bondage you are living in today, I pray you give it ALL to Jesus. He said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Only He can free you from the bondage of deception.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What lifestyle are you believing in?

2. How is Satan deceiving you?

3. How can you break the chains of the bondage of sin?