Satan is out to tempt, trap and topple you. One of his favorite lies is that you can’t fall. He appeals to your ego: ‘You have got your spiritual act together; you are too strong to stumble. Weaker people wouldn’t be able to handle it, but you can.’ This lie is intended to make you over-confident, to lead you to ‘Trust in man, depend on flesh for (your) strength’ and ‘turn away from the Lord’ (Jeremiah 17:5 NIV). It’s designed to get you to lower your guard and make you vulnerable to his schemes. Don’t play into his hands! Be wise: ‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall’ (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV). Live on your knees. Fortify yourself with God’s Word.
Another of satan’s favorite lies is that you can’t stand. This appeals to your underlying sense of unworthiness, fear and inadequacy. He whispers, ‘Look at your track record. Compared to all those other good folks in church, you are not worthy to be called a Christian. Just give up.’ Satan wants to divert you from ‘Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy’ (Jude 24 NAS). He wants to get you focused on your negatives, your wayward friends, spiritual giants who fell, and tell you that because they couldn’t make it, you have no chance. He will replay your list of shortcomings to discourage you. Don’t go for it. ‘He is a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44 NAS). Believing him makes you his victim. Refuse to let either pride or inadequacy defeat you.
