Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free [Paperback]

Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 1, 2006

Satan is the master deceiver and his lies are endless. And the lies Christian women believe are at the root of most of their struggles. 

"Many women live under a cloud of personal guilt and condemnation," says Nancy Leigh DeMoss. "Many are in bondage to their past. Others are gripped by fear of rejection and a longing for approval. Still others are emotional prisoners."

In best selling Lies Women Believe, Nancy exposes those areas of deception most commonly believed by Christian women -- lies about God, sin, priorities, marriage and family, emotions, and more. She then sheds light on how we can be delivered from bondage and set free to walk in God's grace, forgiveness, and abundant life.

Nancy offers the most effective weapon to ounter and overcome Satan's deceptions -- God's truth!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nancy Leigh DeMoss, who is one of the most articulate Bible expositors in the Christian world today, has written a book that I hope will get to the top of the best-seller list.  It exposes the lies that imprison so many women and sets them free.  I highly recommend it.
-Charles Colson

The woman of today is bombarded and confused by so many falsehoods.  These messages may originate from painful childhood experiences or from media that emphasize beauty and glitz above all else.  Or perhaps from a culture that tells women their role as a wife and mother doesn't count nearly as much as a career.  Or the more selfish trend is that if her marriage doesn't make her happy, she owes it to herself to bail out.  In Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free Nancy Leigh DeMoss exposes Satan as the source of these falsehoods and points women back to the truth only found in God's Word.  Whatever problem today's women may face--guilt, addictions, an unhappy marriage, desire for career over mothering children, troubled children, the list goes on--she reminds us that there is an answer, and it is found in God.  God is enough.
-Tim and Beverly LaHaye

For a quarter of a century, Nancy Leigh DeMoss has listened compassionately to heart-wrenching stories about the ways women in today's world are looking for meaning in life in all the wrong places.  Readers will find themselves in these stories. A careful reading of this compelling book, written by someone who knows and loves the Scriptures, will help women identify and break out of the many bondages--emotional, physical, and spiritual--that trap them.  It will also lead women to a new vision for their lives, and the profound sense of freedom that comes with the knowledge of God's redeeming love made known in Jesus Christ. Nancy's breathtaking book arrives on the American scene at a timely moment in history, when the populace is confused, desperately searching for meaning in life, and buying into anything that brings immediate gratification.  This liberating book will be a blessing to you."
-George and Kingsley Gallup

What a timely, God-initiated and God-endorsed book!  Nancy is a friend not only to us and to our family, but to thousands who have heard her speak and have known her personally.  This is a most timely and crucial contribution to all women.  Nancy deals honestly with the most pressing pain in women's lives and shows sensitively real illustrations and the truth that sets them free.  Without hesitation, we encourage every woman to carefully study and apply this wonderful and practical spiritual help--both hurting and bewildered women, as well as radiant and happy women who desire to help others.
-Henry and Marilyn Blackaby

Have you ever wished you had a trusted friend, a wise counselor, that you could go to for godly, profoundly biblical advice?  Someone you could go to who would help you tackle life's thorniest questions?  Nancy Leigh DeMoss may not be your closest friend, but she will provide you with the solid Psalm 1 counsel that your soul longs for.  On more than one occasion we've sought Nancy's advice and counsel.  She is a godly woman with a heart for God's people.  Compassionate and caring, I think you'll find that Nancy will stimulate you to love and good deeds in these pages.  Buy two of these books--one for yourself and one for your best friend!
-Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Finally we can stop walking around in a maze of unanswered questions.  The 'why's' have been silenced and the truth proclaimed!  Nancy penetrates the confusion of our day and helps us see through the deception that has plunged so many women into despair and frustration.  Then she gently leads us into the truth that is the only pathway to experience God's beautiful peaceand restoration.
-P. Bunny Wilson

Today's women need to hear the truth, and I praise God for Nancy Leigh Demoss' incredible faith in His truth and her honesty about our weakness.  She refuses to compromise His Word for the world's sake.
-Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995

From the Back Cover

We are like Eve.  We have all experienced defeats and failures, trouble and turmoil. We have all experienced a selfish heart, a shrewish spirit, anger, envy and bitterness.  And we ache to do things over, to have lives of harmony and peace. 

In her book, Lies Women Believe, author Nancy Leigh DeMoss exposes those areas of deception most commonly believed by Christian women:

-Lies about themselves: I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings.
-Lies about sin: I cannot walk in consistent victory over sin.
-Lies about their marriage:  If I submit to my husband, I will be miserable.
-Lies about their emotions: I can't control my emotions.
-Lies about their circumstances: I just can't take any more.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss sheds light on how we can be delivered from bondage and set free to walk in God's grace, forgiveness, and abundant life. This book offers the most effective weapon to counter and overcome Satan's deceptions-God's truth.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; Repreinted edition edition (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802472966
• ISBN-13: 978-0802472960
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gender Studies
  • #36 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Women's Studies

More About the Author

Nancy Leigh DeMoss mentors millions of women through Revive Our Hearts and the True Woman Movement, calling them to heart revival and biblical womanhood. Her love for the Word and the Lord Jesus are infectious, and permeate her online outreaches, conference messages, books, and two daily nationally syndicated radio programs--Revive Our Hearts and Seeking Him with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Her books have sold more than 1,000,000 copies.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 99 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Be open-minded: This book is worth reading. December 5, 2006

By Amy Ling

Format:Paperback

We don't need to agree with this book entirely to find it worth reading. Do NOT hesitate to buy it just because other reviewers found the book disagreeable. That may be precisely the reason why we should read it -- use it as a springboard for intelligent discussion! I found that many parts of the book were eye-opening and revelational, even if I personally remain undecided about some of DeMoss's opinions.

Many intelligent women may find themselves offended by DeMoss's conservative viewpoints, especially with regard to her stance against the use of birth control. As a single, professional woman, I, too, was at first taken aback by her statement that the highest calling for women was to be a wife and mother. ***However, DeMoss herself is a single woman and has no children of her own.*** If you read carefully, she later clarifies that it is the highest calling IF it is God's calling for your particular life, obviously. The apostle Paul said that his own personal view was that it was better to be single in order to be fully devoted to God.

Lies Women Believe helps uncover how everyone, including men, are subtly deceived by today's modern society. She inspects today's popular beliefs held by most American women and clearly shows how it deviates from the simple, undeniable truth as written in God's Word. A must-read! Great for small groups.

62 of 73 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Another book that mistakes culture for Christianity April 29, 2011

By Dahne

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let me begin by saying that there are some good points in this book, but it is so filled with misunderstanding of scripture, legalism, and false teaching that I cannot recommend it. First of all, the author has little or no qualifications to write this book with any authority: she is not a Bible scholar and even more ironic, she is not married and has zero experience on the subject.

Some lies that she promotes in the book:

--Women are inferior and more likely to sin than men. If your a woman, don't work because you might hear some bad language or get tempted to cheat. Never mind that you husband probably faces this everyday.

--Women should submit to their husbands to the point of being a doormat, even if they are being abused. Outrageous! She needs to study the Greek and Hebrew words and she would find out that we are called to "mutually submit to one another" which she conveniently leaves out, as well as wives submit to your husbands. The meaning of submit used there is NOT the same as used for submitting to God. It is about mutual respect and accountability. A husband and wife are equal and in a partnership. If one person is allowing the other to act disrespectfully or wrongly--you are not being the helpmate you are supposed to be. I have seen numerous examples of women who believed this lie of being a doormat with tragic results for both husband and wife. It is not godly in any way, but women have been brainwashed for centuries and sadly, it still continues.

--That women should not use birth control and have as many babies as their body will pump out, regardless of the woman's health, ability to care for the children, or God's calling on her life. This teaching is so egregious I find myself in disbelief.... She claims that being responsible about having children is evil and from the devil. I am not kidding. No where does she give scripture to back up any of her ridiculous claims because there aren't any. God never tells women to have so many children that they are neglected and unhealthy. She uses Mary Pride as an example, someone I am familiar with as a homeschooling parent. The truth about Mary Pride and her brood that she chose to have is this: in her own newsletter (years ago), she wrote how she and her family had to go to the doctor because they were all feeling poorly. Guess why? Malnourishment because she and her husband were too busy to do more than throw hotdogs at their kids for every meal. I'm sorry, but that is not being responsible nor is it an example I wish to emulate. I know families that are large and they do just fine--they love it and can handle it, but it's their choice. They are not doing it out of misguided legalism or guilt.

There is lots more, but you get the idea. Obviously the author, DeMoss, needs to start getting set free from the lies she believes, instead of pushing them on others. If she had been around in the early 1900's, no doubt she would have declared that women should NOT get the right to vote since their place is pregnant and in the kitchen. Her ideal family is based on something like the Cleavers on Leave it to Beaver and femininity on Victorian notions of women. But God's truth is applicable in every society and culture. Can you imagine taking this book to Sudan or Guinea, Africa and telling the women there that they need to make themselves more beautiful for their husbands or they will cheat on them or that they need to stop working in the fields and go home, put on their dress with a petticoat and be ready with her husband's slippers when he gets home. See how ridiculous it sounds! No, here is the truth. Everyone needs to find out what it is God wants them to do or calls them to do. We are all different. My husband and I have spent years studying the word and praying for God's will in our life, yet oddly enough, he has never directed us to do any of the agendas that she is pushing. However, when she talks about trusting God and some struggles that are based on scripture, she makes good points.

I am doing this in a study with other women or I would never have picked this book up. But there is honest discussion about the issues presented in the book and no one just accepts what she writes as gospel-that is essential! If you are easily made to feel guilty or have low self-esteem, RUN from this book.

Overall, I just cannot recommend it. Read more ›

242 of 317 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Had problems with the book May 23, 2005

By lor369

Format:Paperback

This book outlined the lies that many women get caught up in. I felt that there were some good things about this book. We do need to take responsibility for our actions, not remain a victim, and to realize that sin is sin and that God can forgive it all. Surprisingly, the submission chapter was done well, explaining the myths of submission and how a woman in an abusive situation should get out.

But there were many things I didn't like in this book. First, the author took a patronizing, critical, judging tone towards women. She seemed to like to blame women for a lot of problems, without recognizing the role that men often play in those problems.

I was deeply offended about what she had to say about how "a career is more fulfilling than being a wife and mother". I do agree with that statement. But she uses that statement to imply that the only place for the woman is in the home. She blames working women ("in part") for affairs, women being on welfare (I thought working took women OFF welfare), elderly parent being in nursing homes, divorce, single motherhood, teen violence, etc. She doesn't acknowledge other factors going into those things. I mean, men and women have had affairs since the beginning of time. Elderly parents are in nursing homes because they require 24/7 care, not because of the women working (don't sons or SAHM's put their parents in nursing homes?) I work outside the homes, yet, I do have meals with my family and they aren't all fast food or frozen. As far as women gaining financial independence to free them to leave their husbands...I don't know of many women who work for that purpose. But isn't it OK for each woman to have her own money in cases of abuse, addiction, or when the man leaves them for someone else?... What if the husband loses his job, becomes disabled, dies, etc? And the Proverbs 31 woman did a little of everything, including working out of the home.

And yes, children are a blessing, but Demoss seems to think it is wrong to limit the number of children a woman has. She comes from a family of 7 kids, and that's great that her mom enjoyed raising 7 kids, but that is not for everyone. The reasons that Demoss gives--not having patience, not being able to physically handle more kids--are perfectly legitimate reasons, that she appeared to mock. Other than the issue of abortion, the Bible doesn't say that limiting the number of children is a sin, just like it is not a sin for women to work outside the home.

And on emotions, she seems to act like it is a sin to call for pizza when you don't feel like cooking (guess I sinned tonight, after my stressful day at work) or not cleaning house when you don't feel like it. And about passive husbands...what if the husband is an alcoholic and can't hold or look for a job? What is the wife to do? Let her and her children starve?

Although there were some good points to the book, I had a problem with many of the issues presented. If anyone were to go through the book, please go through it with a group to work out the trouble spots. Read more ›

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Deficient and misguided August 13, 2011

By kim brown

Format:Paperback

It's sad that we live in a culture where some author's book holds as much or more authority than the Bible. Many would argue that my first statement isn't true or valid. They would suggest that books like these are only a supplement. I'm not suggesting that there are not wonderful and scripturally grounded books out there, although I definitely don't believe this one is. What I am suggesting is that far too many Christian women know far too much about the opinion's of novices like Demoss and far too little about the examples illustrated by women in the Bible. If you asked the average Christian woman to name at least 10 women of the Bible and explain how their contributions have impacted the lives of Christian women today, many couldn't. Yet, many could gladly ramble on about the teachings of novices like Demoss or similar authors.

My prayer is that Christian women would put aside books like this. Pick up the Bible and learn of and from the women in it: Pilot's wife, Zipporah, Esther, Priscilla, Huldah, Deborah, etc. For example, Demoss' ideas about a wife's duty to submit are in contradiction to the lessons that can be learned from Abigail and Sapphira. Abigail was no doormat. She refused to submit to her husband's foolish. Although she was not able to help her husband, her brave and wise actions saved the lives of others in her house. Sapphira submitted to a lying husband and followed him to the grave.

Christian wives should take their cues from wives in the Bible, instead of taking them from a novice like Demoss who has never been married, birthed kids, or had her name highlighted in the Bible. Sisters, God has already given us all we need to live Godly and victorious lives.... If only we would really begin to study the Bible, we would realize how scripturally deficient and misguided books like these really are. Read more ›