Lies Women Believe
by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Lies Women Believe is a hard hitting book that encourages women to overcome problems in their lives by following Biblical principles rather than the lies of Satan as broadcast through the untrue words of others, whether family, friends, the media (both news and social), books, and movies. The author, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, has written chapters on various problem issues for women such as parenting, sexuality, and marriage. After explaining how sin began with lies that Satan told Eve in the garden of Eden, Wolgemuth starts each chapter with an imagined journal entry depicting Eve’s life experiences and the consequences of sin as it applies to that chapter’s topic. She then discusses the topic in depth including lots of Scripture to support her stance and many related examples from friends and from women who have attended her conference sessions. She ties up each chapter with the lies Satan tells about the topic and counters each lie with God’s truth and supporting Scripture references.
One of the chapters I think is excellent is “Lies Women Believe About Children.” In it Wolgemuth discusses the “Mommy Wars” where mothers engage in the comparison game considering themselves failures or better than other mothers. She clarifies that there are many choices that parents make that are simply that—choices. There is no Scriptural basis for the decision. She writes that parents need to pray about the choice as each family is different. An example would be schooling—homeschool, private, or public? Mothers should not look down on others based on their choices in areas like that.
As a reviewer I read this book over the course of several days, and I must admit to being overwhelmed about three-fourths of the way through. The book is Scripturally based, well written, and has great organization. The problem is that as I read each section, I found myself second-guessing past decisions and choices that I feel sure were made with God’s leadership. I suspect this kind of condemnation and doubt is not what Wolgemuth intended. I think God wants us to step out in confidence based on trust in Him. I do not think the unease in my heart is God moving in my life, but Satan using a good book to sow seeds of doubt. I understand the importance of thinking and praying about our choices in the light of God’s Word and because of this book I will be more aware in the future of the way Satan uses lies and half-truths to change our thinking.
I found the last part of Lies Women Believe to be especially helpful; so if you are having a hard time with some of the issues, I suggest you keep reading. The chapter “Lies About Circumstances” addresses this all encompassing part of life, which we all go through in various ways, in a very practical manner. Suddenly I didn’t feel like I was reading about condemnation and perfection, but about how real women survive real circumstances with the help of a very real God. I also found the last two chapters “Countering Lies with the Truth” and “The Truth that Sets us Free” to be very practical and an offering of hope for the future.
In conclusion, my “take away” from Lies Women Believe is to be more aware of the many subtle forms of attack by Satan. At the same time I will keep Isaiah 26:3 in remembrance: “ You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Moody Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Christian
Notes: This is a major update and expansion of the original version.
Publication: February 6, 2018—Moody Publishing
Memorable Lines:
What we read or hear may sound right, may feel right, may seem right—but if it’s contrary to the Word of God, it isn’t right.
Like a rock thrown into a pond, the ripples caused by sin go on and on. If only we could see that every single sin is a big deal, that every sin is an act of rebellion and cosmic treason, that every time we choose our way instead of God’s way, we are revolting against the God and King of the universe.
Through His sinless life, His death on Calvary as the sinner’s substitute, and His victorious resurrection, we can be fully forgiven for all our sin, we can be reconciled to the God we have offended, and we can have the power to live holy lives.
education pathways 
The cover idea as your attention. A good review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. With all the weird “women’s issue” hooey going on, I’m glad you found this book to review. I think most women misunderstand feminism, and think that bible examples of women are not worth their time. But there are so many great examples of wonderful women. Women with problems that found grace, women who weren’t perfect, but were part of God’s plan.
Condemnation is a hard thing to avoid when using the Word to shine a light on our lives, but Jesus wasn’t a condemner, thank God for that.
Now if we can get those sad ladies in the pink hats to consider their actions a little more closely….something tells me that’s a job for Jesus. He’s got his work cut out for him in this day and time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you on everything in your insightful comment. I don’t regret reading the book, but several days later I feel like I am coming out the other side of a heavy cloud. I feel like the author started looking for Satan’s lies and indeed found them everywhere. Perhaps read at a slower pace, it would not be so overwhelming. You are right about the great examples of women in the Bible, strong women, faithful women. The women whose pink hats are splashed across the media can’t hold a candle to them. They represent such an extreme and are misguided in my opinion. They have bought into the lies. On the other hand, Jesus loves us. He recognizes our sins, but covers them and wipes them away. He sets us free from them. That is the focus I need to keep in mind as I go into the new week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes I think the messages we get from the Religious amongst us hurt, because we all believe in the same Jesus, and we are all doing our level best to follow what’s in our hearts to be true, and Holy Spirit Directed.
That doesn’t mean that they are right, and that what we are trusting our hearts for is wrong. They have different paths.
God loves us, and knows us so intimately. And God looks at us so differently from how anyone else, religious, spiritual, or whatever could ever see us.
I trust in that Love more than I could ever trust in anything else.
What makes us doubt ourselves should be measured carefully against the peace and Spirit within us for how we are to take that message.
Just like the books in the Bible, who wrote it, who were they writing to, and what was going on to make them write it should temper how we interpret how that scripture should apply to us.
“The Lord Giveth, and the Lord Taketh away” is a scripture in Job. But Job said it to his friends when he was in despair and was later rebuked by God, and Restored by the Generous Creator.
But how many times are scripture taken when they should be left alone?
A topic for the ages, yes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was no place to reply after your second post, but I wanted to thank you for your words of insight. I agree so much with God viewing us through a lens of love; we are not so generous with ourselves. Also, if we take things from the Bible out of context, both in terms of the words around it and as you mentioned the audience and the cultural times, we can get a very distorted view. Thanks for sharing your kindhearted viewpoint. It is always welcome and appreciated.
LikeLike
Wow! This sounds like a very powerful and empowering book. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! I need a bible study book for the over 55 yrs crowd. Would this be a good study or will we all be walking away with regret for decisions we’ve made and self condemnation? Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a hard question to answer as everyone has such different backgrounds that affect how they view what they read. I have put out how it affected me. Life is not a “Leave it to Beaver” episode, and people who are over 55 have undoubtedly had some negative experiences and challenges in their lives. I would approach undertaking this book with a group with caution. On the other hand, there are many people who think this book and author are terrific. I’m sorry I can’t give you a black and white answer, but looking back on it with the perspective of time, I still feel pain welling up. I guess it hit some triggers for me. I wish you well as you try to choose a book for your study. God bless you.
LikeLike