Nicolae Ceausescu was the Communist dictator of Romania. Like many other dictators, Ceausescu thrived on power and control and specifically power and control over people. He wanted to make a name for himself, his policies, and his regime on the world stage. He had visions of grandeur. He built the largest and most expensive palace in the world. He said he would stimulate the economy by exporting goods. He created policies to build up a large army in just one generation. Propaganda showed pictures of babies being dropped off at state-run orphanages and then later leaving smiling, walking hand in hand with their families as full grown adults.
There was just one problem:
It was a lie.
While he built the world's largest and most expensive palace, his people suffered in complete poverty struggling to buy basic necessities. Instead of creating wealth and financial stability through exportation, he starved people. There was no food to eat; because, it was being exported. During his trial, he was actually charged with genocide via starvation. A fact which his wife vehemently denied repeatedly despite the obvious and overwhelming state of Romania. Instead of the state raising happy and healthy children to become part of a large army, thousands upon thousands of children were abandoned within the walls of these orphanages receiving minimal to no care.
Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were liars. Their power and control were built on lies. The people under them became their victims - their lives the result of failed policies in an effort to make a great name. In the end, Nicolae and Elena believed their own lies.
Satan is no different.
There's a reason Jesus calls him the father of lies. (John 8)
Satan wants to be worshipped as the supreme being. He wants to make a name for himself. But his kingdom is built on lies. He lies to us about who God is and who we are. He lies to us about the world. He tells us things that sound good, but really they are just methods that bring about more death. He uses and abuses those under him. His kingdom is an utter failure.
But we serve a God who is mighty and good.
We no longer belong to that broken kingdom, and we no longer have to listen to or believe Satan's lies.
As Christians, we have been Adopted & Redeemed through Christ, and Satan's lies hold no power over Christ.
We have been redeemed by the almighty, all-powerful, completely good, always faithful, never changing, 100% trustworthy God of the universe and we get to be on His side! He knows the battle we are in, and He doesn't leave us alone. He is our Father. He wants us to cling to Him and pour our hearts out to Him. He wants us to find strength in Him.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." - Ephesians 6:10-11
When Satan lies to us and whispers to us:
you aren't good enough,
you don't measure up,
you don't do enough,
God doesn't really forgive you,
just a little bit of that sin won't hurt you,
everyone else is doing it - it's not a big deal …
We can stand firm with God's armor in place, see the bombardment of lies for what they are and have the confidence to say:
That's a lie.
Stand strong in the Lord. He bought you back. He redeemed you from that kingdom of lies. Don't fall captive - Stay alert.
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." - Ephesians 6:18
The Adopted & Redeemed Blog was born out of a desire to share God's story in my life, and to proclaim His truth for all Christians: through Christ, we have been Adopted and Redeemed.
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-Catrina Hull