Paul writes to the Corinthians: “So that you may practice what is good, even though we seem to be disqualified.” It doesn’t matter what I look like, it doesn’t matter what people think of me, as long as you walk uprightly. This perspective reverses our modern obsession with image, with public opinion.
Indeed, everyone has an opinion. Everyone feels entitled to an opinion. In a world saturated with voices, criticisms, and judgments, one question dominates all others: What is God's opinion of your life? Everyone, as Paul should say, 'What matters to me is what God thinks of me. I have no use for lying lips. All that matters, Lord, is what You think of me.'
Our Only Power
“For we have no power against the truth, but only for the truth.” – The Apostle Paul
What does this statement mean? Paul is establishing a fundamental principle here: truth is independent of us and remains unassailable regardless of our attitude toward it. It also remains unique and cannot be created, changed, or destroyed. Any opposition is doomed to failure, and the only possible approach is to submit to it.
The context is instructive. Paul was writing to the Corinthians, some of whom were questioning his apostolic authority. He essentially said, “I can do nothing that would go against the truth, even if it would make me look good in your eyes. My only power is to serve the truth.” Herein lies the paradox: Paul seems “disqualified” in the eyes of men precisely because he refuses to compromise the truth to gain their approval. But this is his real strength.
Whenever biblical truth is discussed, the Christological dimension cannot be ignored. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If truth is a person—Christ himself—then “no power against the truth” means we have no power against Christ. To oppose the truth, therefore, is to rebel against Christ. But Christ’s victory was sealed by his resurrection.
The practical implications are immense. If you walk in the truth—if your words are true, if your life is righteous, if you serve the gospel without compromise—you are in a position of unassailable security. Not because you are strong, but because you are aligned with that which possesses inherent authority. Lies, slander, and accusations may swirl around you, but “the truth cannot be defeated.”
Conversely, if you oppose the truth—if you propagate lies, if you twist the gospel, if you live in falsehood—you are opposing something more powerful than you. You may appear to succeed temporarily. Liars may prosper for a time. But “we have no power against the truth.” Sooner or later, the lie collapses because it has no inherent power. Only the truth remains.
This is why Paul can confidently say, “So that you may practice what is good, even though we seem to be disqualified.” What matters is appearances, what matters is the judgment of men. What matters is being on the side of truth, because that is where the only true power lies. But what truth are we talking about exactly?
The 4 Dimensions of Truth
Here are four non-exhaustive dimensions of truth in which we must be rooted as Christians.
1. The truth about the gospel.
Christ is the heart of the gospel, and His work of salvation cannot be questioned. His message must not be adapted to cultural preferences or to please our generation. How many Christians, once firmly anchored in their faith, have become admirers of the ways of the world, trying to persuade the church to follow “evolution” and gain the world’s approval.
Paul warns us in Galatians 1:8: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed!”
His tone is firm. Paul is not asking for caution or checking the facts; he is pronouncing a severe sentence. He declares “let him be accursed,” that is, cursed. Even an angel from heaven preaching another gospel would be under this curse. Final authority rests not on spectacular displays, but on the apostolic gospel. The truth of the gospel handed down to us is so certain and inviolable that no heavenly creature, not even Paul himself, can change it. All are under anathema. This firmness is something modern Christians seem to ignore.
The Gospel, as it has been communicated to us, must be preserved in the terms given to us. Let us not seek to change it, adapt it, or modify it according to the trends of our time.
The gospel is not available for us to rework. Surprisingly, Jesus never sought to consult us on how to make the gospel acceptable in our generation. Peter was just as firm when he declared, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Peter spoke with determination before the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders responsible for Jesus' crucifixion. He knew the risks he was taking, but he could do nothing against the truth. Boldly, he affirmed that only Jesus could save. He proclaimed a non-negotiable truth, which is the very heart of the Gospel. This is how we received it, and this is how we must pass it on.
2. The truth about who we are in Christ.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Understanding the new creation is essential for the Christian life. Paul uses the language of creation rather than renovation. You are not an improved version of the old; you are a new creation. In Christ, “old things have passed away” (Greek perfect tense—an action completed with permanent effects). This truth transforms our identity. My first book in English, “Reborn, a New Identity,” is precisely about this glorious Christian identity and its practical implications. The enemy wants you to live according to the old—your past failures, your labels, your limitations. But in Christ, these things are gone forever. Let’s not listen to the lies that try to pull us back into the old identity. These lies may manifest as doubts about our worth, false accusations about our character, or distortions of our true gifts. Let’s submit everything to the truth of what God says.
3. Truth in our words about others.
Ephesians 4:25 exhorts us, “Put away lies, and speak truth to each other.” Paul places this exhortation in the context of the unity of the body. Why? Because lies destroy fellowship. When we speak falsely about our brothers and sisters—even ignorantly, even “innocently”—we sow division. Truth in our speech is not an option; it is the glue that holds the body of Christ together.
Let us refrain from saying things about others that are not true. Let us avoid speaking solely on the basis of our feelings rather than the truth. It is easy to spread lies without even realizing it—through gossip, assumptions, or hasty judgments. Speaking out loud about the real or perceived misdeeds of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and sometimes our shepherds, has become a plague in the church today. We often forget that God's Word condemns equivocal speech, that every child of God is precious in the Lord's sight, that He does not tolerate seeing them besmirched, and that polluting others with our words can lead to their destruction.
4. The truth in every situation we find ourselves in.
This is opposed to simply feeling and considering the impact of the situation on me. It is about judging objectively according to God's standards, adopting Jesus' perspective on a situation, rather than reacting based on my emotions. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many people. Paul could remain calm when others proclaimed the gospel to make his chains heavier, because only one thing mattered to him: that Christ be proclaimed.
However, even when you perceive the truth of a situation, not everything is good to say. Some truths can destroy lives. You must ask the Holy Spirit: Am I supposed to say this? Will it have a negative or positive impact on the people around me? Truth without wisdom can become a weapon, while truth accompanied by wisdom becomes a tool for restoration.
Developing Sensitivity to Truth
It is essential to cultivate a deep attachment to the truth. It must be ingrained within us. The quest for truth must inhabit us. “Is it true?” must be the sole criterion by which we evaluate everything we hear or say, regardless of the source or recipient. Our words must convey the truth, not merely impressions, feelings, or serve as arguments.
On a personal level, I had a powerful experience with the Lord during my prophetic training. I had to force myself not to say anything, whether in private, during my prayer time, or in public, without absolute clarity. Vague impressions or thoughts similar to those I had the day before cannot be considered revelations.
No matter what I thought I saw or heard, I wasn't allowed to say anything until I had developed enough sensitivity to say it with certainty. God values the truth. This discipline taught me to distinguish between what seems plausible and what is actually true, between my emotions and what the Holy Spirit says, and between my ideas and God's word. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the intentions and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Notice that the Word judges not only our actions, but also our feelings and thoughts. This is precisely where lies creep in—into our inner lives. We feel something and think it's true. We have a thought and assume it comes from God. However, the living Word penetrates deeper, separating what emanates from our soul (emotions, human thoughts) from what comes from the Spirit. It is this tool of discernment that we must wield daily.
Thus, a lack of commitment to the truth leads us to give undue weight to our emotions, ideas, and thoughts on a subject. However, the Word of God teaches us that the human mind must be renewed to discern God's will. This means that there are many ideas in human thinking that are fundamentally flawed and do not correspond to divine truth.
Jesus also warned against the adversary, who is a liar. His playing field is to trick people into believing lies. From the beginning, he acted this way, persuading our first parents to believe a lie. He constantly deceives, infusing ideas, thoughts, and half-truths. To give weight to his lies, he quotes Bible verses, just as he did with Jesus. Insidiously quoting Bible verses to support one's position while denigrating others does not demonstrate a true commitment to the truth. It can also reveal pride, demonic influence, and a strong desire for manipulation.
When you cling to the truth, you develop an inner lie detector. So when thoughts assail you like a whirlwind, or a brother or sister tells you something that seems plausible, if it isn't the truth, the Spirit of God prompts you to respond. It may seem logical, but deep down, you know it isn't. Because you've committed yourself to the truth. On the other hand, when we aren't committed to the truth, we become vulnerable to the lies of others—the product of human deception and sometimes lying spirits.
The Reality of Lying Spirits
It is therefore essential to surround yourself with people who are themselves committed to the truth. Otherwise, lying spirits will seek to manipulate your life. They can influence your thoughts or those of those around you, who, in turn, will manipulate you. Unfortunately, this situation is more common in our churches than many realize. Over the years, we have often seen people destabilized because of their association with individuals who were the spokespeople of lying spirits.
Lying and backbiting, disguised as indignation or zeal for the Lord, are widespread in our evangelical circles. Slander, backbiting, and lying all come from the same category of demons. These spirits operate with great freedom in our churches because people are unaware of the gravity of the words spoken and the importance of speaking and holding fast to the truth. Opinions and feelings take precedence, relegating the thought of God to the background.
Every servant of God must stand firm against these spirits that attempt to intimidate, discredit, and cause God's servant to doubt himself. If you are called to ministry, be prepared for people to spread lies about you. Hold fast to the truth of who you are in Christ and God's call on your life. Vigilance is paramount.
However, too many Christians never develop this vigilance. They remain vulnerable to manipulation without even realizing it. During a time of intercession during Friday's 3P prayers, I received a vision that perfectly illustrates this reality.
The Vision of the Whirlwind
I see a person in a room, surrounded by bees circling around them at breakneck speed. This person tries to pull himself together, but it seems as if these moving things are dragging him along with them. Although he tries to stand upright, he is swept away by this whirlwind surrounding him.
The person is being dragged along against their will. They struggle to remain firm, but everything is happening so fast that they are finally swept along with the whirlwind. It is not their own movements that move them, but this wild agitation around them. I then hear the person say, “Lord, but why, Lord?”
But it wasn't the Lord. It has nothing to do with God. This vision represents the manipulation of lying spirits that create a mental, emotional, and spiritual whirlwind. The person tries to resist, but the movement is too rapid and too violent. They no longer control their own thoughts.
We began to pray, asking the Father to give her an escape, a way out of this whirlwind. As I saw this in my spirit, we prayed that He would open a door, reach out His hand, and pull the person out. And that's what He did. In the vision, I saw her step out into the open, totally free.
If you recognize yourself in this situation, pray to renounce the lies you have believed or spoken. I pray for you and for everyone under the rule of lies. May your eyes be opened immediately, may your conscience return, may your ability to discern be restored to you. May every lie you have believed be eradicated. May this hold of darkness on your life be broken. May the power of lying spirits be destroyed over you. See clearly now. May confusion disappear. Perceive clearly the will of God, which is the truth according to the Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
You step out into the fresh air, finally able to breathe. Finally at peace. Finally at rest. Finally in tranquility.
But be careful, surround yourself with people who are committed to the truth, discern those who are committed to lies and manipulate others, and avoid them. It is important to be selective in our relationships and in the people to whom we give access to our lives, our thoughts, and our decisions.
There are church members who claim to have special revelations, while others form groups because of their different interpretations of certain verses. They consider themselves "spiritual" and therefore they are right. For some, these are half-truths, credible enough to seem legitimate, but with a dose of poison that destroys everything.
Don't be among those who reject the wise counsel of their spiritual leaders while believing the lies of "spiritual brothers" motivated by another spirit. Correction is not backbiting; it is wholesome. We need people who will tell us the truth, even when it is inconvenient, even when it confronts us. This is how we will grow healthy and protect us from flattering lips whose sole purpose is to gain influence.
Pray: “Father, I want the truth. Give me people in my life who are committed to the truth. I no longer want to live a lie and be surrounded by lies.”
Surgery
The psalmist cried out to God for the truth to be in his heart, and this must be our cry. In prayer, God creates within us a passion for the truth. If we want to renew our minds, symbolic surgery is necessary. This isn't mandatory, but it allows us to reflect on our current situation and change our way of perceiving events.
First, pray and ask the Holy Spirit for help. Then, reflect and write down specific areas in your life where you have allowed lies to take hold. What lies have you believed about God, yourself, and others? Pray to renounce each one and ask the Lord for forgiveness for believing these falsehoods.
Next, decide to feed exclusively on the truth. Write three verses about truth in your notebook and meditate on them daily for 30 days. Thank the Lord for your love of truth and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Declare daily that your lips speak what is true, that your thoughts align with God's, and that you will choose to follow His thoughts over those of others. Write these declarations down and repeat them regularly.
Finally, identify the people you will stop listening to and those you will surround yourself with. Surround yourself with people who love the truth, such as a mentor, pastor, or friends. Ask them to correct you if you say anything that is contrary to the truth.
Truth and Rest
When we are committed to the truth and led by the Holy Spirit, we understand the importance of walking in love, avoiding constant suspicion, and fleeing from half-truths. Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” Freeing ourselves from lies does not mean hurting others under the guise of speaking the truth.
Similarly, avoiding manipulation does not mean suspecting everyone, becoming obsessed with lying spirits, and seeing manipulation everywhere, to the point that every conversation becomes suspect and every brother is perceived as a potential enemy. Every disagreement is then interpreted as a spiritual attack.
The Word of God, illuminated by the Spirit of God, is the true bulwark against these deviations and against manipulations based on Scripture. The result of this time of transformation is a commitment to the Word that preserves us from these scriptural contortions whose sole objective is control. Christ has set us free; let us remain free and treasure the truth entrusted to us.
This question is close to my heart. I have seen lives seriously affected, families destroyed, and children lost in the world because people gave in to the songs of lies and gave the direction of their lives to a manipulator. Not to mention those who did not fulfill the destiny God had for them because the lies of others pushed them to make decisions contrary to their intended purpose.
The good news: It's never too late to get out of this whirlwind. God is reaching out. He's opening a door. Be willing to cling to the truth, seek His heart in all things, and accept that your emotions or those of others cannot rule your life.
What choice will you make today?
“We have no power against the truth, but only for the truth.” – 2 Corinthians 13:8
WATCH THE FULL SESSION and make the corresponding prayers: [PRAYERS AGAINST EVIL, MANIPULATION]
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