I have always found it interesting to watch new climbers navigate the fear of falling. For some, sitting back on the rope to be lowered is more terrifying than actually climbing. For others, they get half way up a route when the fear sets in. They inevitably start shaking, begging to be lowered.
A new climber has difficulty understanding that a top rope means they are not going to take a hard fall. While they get the whole concept on the ground, when on the rock, their brain refuses to believe that they are not in danger of plummeting to their death. Their brain is believing a lie, rather than truth.
Eventually, after climbing a few times, along with a couple falls, the brain starts to believe that the top rope will catch, and they are not in danger. Sitting back on the rope becomes second nature and the fight or flight that used to appear half way up the route becomes a thing of the past. Eventually, with practice and time on the rock, the brain interprets the circumstances from a perspective of truth.
A couple of years ago, I took a counseling course with Christian Life Ministries. The very first topic they discussed was the concept of “Mind Influences.” As we go through life, we operate with what they called, “mental maps.” These maps are shaped by our past, those around us and the world in general. These maps become the way we navigate through life, process information, and perceive our circumstances.
Our mental maps have formed over time by our experiences, family members, friends, culture, religion, experiences and education. They shape our beliefs about our identity, right and wrong, good or bad, who is trustworthy, our self-worth, expectations of others, our purpose, and the nature of God. Basically, our mental maps are the foundation for what we believe, how we react to life events, and what we perceive as truth.
The problem is, our mental maps are “incomplete, distorted, and inaccurate.” Therefore, as we meet people, experience life and face difficult challenges, our belief and perception of truth may not be accurate.
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 11:3
As we look through the lens of our mental maps, Satan can use our past hurts and traumas to present a lie in the form of truth. How often have your looked at a situation through the clouded and inaccurate lenses. This happens on a regular basis for me.
I came from a past of emotional abuse and extremely unhealthy relationships. In other words, five years ago, I brought a lot of baggage into my marriage. When we were first married, that baggage gave me some pretty foggy lenses when it came to my perception of the challenges all married couples face. Looking through the lens of my past, I would perceive my husband wanted to emotionally hurt me, which could not be further from the truth. The truth was, my husband never approached disagreements from a place of hurt, disdain, or a desire to defeat me. That was my past, not my present. In truth, my husband has always approached our lives together from a perspective of cherishing and love.
Just as our brain lies to us when we are trying to learn to climb, Satan can use the lenses of our past to distort reality. He can use those lies to pull us away from truth, the people we love and our relationship with God. He can use our maps against us, whispering lies that cloud truth and lead us astray. The sneakiest part is that he can disguise his ideas and whispers as our own voice.
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” – Genesis 3:4-5
How do we protect ourselves from these lies? How do we walk in truth rather than view our circumstances through clouded lenses? The first and most important step is to spend time with God, away from the distractions of life. Taking the time to be quiet, away from phones, televisions, kids, etc. allows for intimate moments with the Father. As you pray, study His word and grow in your relationship with God, your maps can be reconfigured, and you perceptions will soon be shaped by a perspective of truth, rather than the lens of our false beliefs.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
The next step is to settle your identity with Christ. Your past, your career, your family, your religion, your sports, your spouse no longer forms your identity. You are a precious, beloved daughter of Christ. That truth, burned into your psyche will protect you from the clouded lenses and Satan’s lies. Your new lenses will always carry the clear perspective of truth as you navigate your way through the challenges and joys of life. (For more information on your identity in Christ, check out the book, “Victory Over the Darkness.”)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. – Ezekiel 36:26-27
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Source: Christian Life Ministries, Lay Class Level 1: Discipleship, Chapter 1: Mind Influences, September 2015
