“Sennacherib sent this message to Hezekiah: ‘Don’t let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you with promises you will not be in my hand. You know we have completely destroyed everyone who stood in our way—why should you be any different? Have the gods of other nations rescued them?’ ” (2 Kings 19:10–12, paraphrased).
Satan’s been faking news long before there was social media. So what do you do with words designed to frighten, discourage, manipulate, and exhaust you?
“After reading the message, Hezekiah took it to the temple, and laid down the enemy’s words before the Lord.” (2 Kings 19:14).
Lies , threats, accusations, and hate feed on whatever power you allow them. So starve them. Even if you don’t feel like it yet, give God every fear, hurt, and offense. Then let him fill the space they took up in your heart and mind with so much of his love, joy, and peace that nothing negative can consume or control you.
“We live in the world, but we don’t wage war as the world does. We use God’s mighty weapons to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We demolish them and every other pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Determine to live so fully in God’s presence that faith, hope, and love are like breathing. Let your trust in his plans for you overwhelm the enemy’s schemes against you.
” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are for good, never to harm you, to give you a future and a hope’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Equip Your Spirit 