“I Don’t Even Remember”

This was a moment I never want to forget.

And probably never will. Lord willing.

I think it was the single most powerful moment I’ve ever experienced during a worship service.

I’m still searching for words to describe it.

The only way to explain what happened is to say … it was a powerful move of the Holy Spirit that couldn’t have been planned or manufactured.

The presence of God filled the room and was tangibly felt by hundreds of people.

It was a powerful reminder of why we need the truth of God’s Word … and why we need one another.

So here’s what happened …

Something We Couldn’t Have Planned

On Friday night (September 26) of the Hope Together Conference, we had Nona Jones and Jennie Allen slated to speak.

Nona Jones gave a powerful and heartfelt talk on The Gift of Rejection … sharing from her latest book by the same title. It was an honest and vulnerable testimony on overcoming constant and severe abuse from childhood.

After her keynote, Regi Stone, who was leading worship, was moved by Nona’s talk … so he asked the audience to do something a bit unique.

He invited the audience to come up near the stage and if there was anyone carrying a burden or difficult issue … to just write it down on a piece of paper and leave it on the front of the stage. It was a tangible way of simply releasing our burdens to the Lord.

While all this was going on, Jennie Allen was also deeply moved – by Nona’s message and by the sight of the audience releasing their burdens. Just minutes before coming on stage, she decided to change her message entirely.

Jennie came up and began talking about what the Lord was doing and in through her life and ministry – about revival happening on college campuses across the country and how so many people are desperate for truth.

After sharing about the incredible ministry she’s been doing, Jennie got candid with us. She shared about how she felt like God had left her after a fruitful season of ministry and how multiple trials were going on in her life.

Our Enemy – The Father of Lies

Then she started talking about how we have an enemy – the devil – and how he tries to attack us. And how he is a liar.

Jennie then read John 8:44, where Jesus explained how Satan is a liar at heart … “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

She explained how she came to understand how the enemy was trying to attack her and make her believe lies about God. She came to realize how the Lord had not abandoned her but was with her during the trials, protecting her.

What Lies Do You Believe?

She then asked the audience – a room full of ministry leaders, counselors, pastors, and Christians serving the Lord – what lies do you believe about yourself? About God?

Even for those serving in ministry, we can still fall into the enemy’s trap and believe things that aren’t true.

Jennie then turned to the pile of cards of the floor and said that underneath all of the burdens people are carrying … there are probably lies we believe.

She picked up one of the cards at random and read it.

It said “I’m not chosen. I’m too much. I’m stuck. I’m not enough. I’m not understood.”

The room was silent. We knew these were lies from the enemy about a precious soul who was serving the Lord.

Then she asked the audience to yell out the lies we believe.

One by one, people started shouting out things like …

“I need to be perfect.”

“I’m not enough.”

“I’m unworthy of love.”

Then one woman said, “I only cause hurt.”

That stopped Jennie in her tracks. She said, “I’m so sorry. That is such a fierce, fierce lie.”

Fighting Lies with Truth

Jennie then invited the woman to come up on stage. She repeated the lie … “I only cause hurt. I know it’s a lie. But it’s hard to fight.”

Then Jennie asked the audience … if you’ve spent time around this woman during the conference … to shout out what they see in her, what they notice about her.

And one by one, the people of God started shouting truth over her…

“She’s a great mom.”

“She’s a great friend.”

“She’s surrounded by people who adore her and love her.”

“Intentional.”

“Intelligent.”

“Empathetic.”

“Courageous.”

“Full of the Spirit.”

“Truthful.”

“Honest.”

“Child of God.”

“Beloved daughter.”

“Beautifully and wonderfully made.”

“Empowered by God to heal.”

“Chosen.”

“Loved.”

“Made in the image of God.”

The Power of Speaking Truth

I was in the back of the room, tearing up. God’s presence felt so real and tangible in the room as people were shouting truth over this precious woman.

Jennie then asked her, how do you feel?

With tears in her eyes, she said, “Grateful. God is … It’s just surreal in this moment.”

Then came the moment that I hope I will never, ever forget.

Jennie asked her, “Remind us what your lie was.”

The woman, wiping tears away, kind of laughed and said, “I don’t even remember.”

The whole audience erupted in praise and laughter and clapping.

I don’t even remember.

That’s what happens when we speak truth over one another. We become so filled with the truth of God’s Word that we can’t even remember the lies that the enemy is trying to tell us and make us believe.

That’s the power of truth.

That’s the power of the Spirit.

That’s the power of God’s Word and God’s people.

That’s why we need to be soaked in God’s Word every day.

That’s why we need one another.

That’s why we need to encourage one another and speak truth over one another.

The War We Are In & How to Win the Battle

After the audience quieted down, Jennie said something very poignant, “this is the war we are in.”

And it’s true.

This is the battle we face every day.

Lies vs. truth.

Darkness vs. light.

The enemy of our souls vs the Savior of the world.

So I encourage you …

Drench yourself in the Word of God each day. Fill your mind so full of His truth that you drown out the lies of the enemy.

Speak truth to your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not immune to the lies and attacks of the enemy. We need to hear the truth of God’s Word each day, not just from ourselves but from each other. We need each other.

Lastly, share the truth with those who don’t yet know the Lord. People are starving for truth and encouragement and hope. And God’s Word is full of it.

So share it. Compassionately. Boldly. Regularly.

That’s what we all need, because the truth is what sets us free.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32).

Friend, please watch this powerful clip below and be encouraged by the power of God’s people speaking God’s truth over one another.