Don’t miss the other book reviews I’ve posted this week:
Keep A Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot
Kohila: The Shaping of an Indian Nurse by Amy Carmichael
Testament From Prison by Georgi Vins
Also be sure to check out My 10 Most Favorite Free Online Books.
Lies Young Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy DeMoss and Dannah Gresh has a message that desperately needs to be heard by today’s Christian girls. I picked it up to read mainly because (even though I’m past the “girl” stage of life) I receive so many conflicting messages about how, as a woman, am supposed to feel and act. Today’s young women are incredibly confused. I personally think that Christian girls are some of the most confused because of the conflicting expectations they must deal with from multiple sources. They see different sets of values and beliefs everywhere they go and receive hardly any guidance about how to think Biblically about them.
Lies are everywhere, and they are very subtle. But the Truth will redeem you. This is the entire theme of Lies Young Women Believe. The book seems to be mainly targeted at teenage girls who have grown up in a Christian church – girls who have been exposed to some truth but are teetering between following the sleazy culture around them and following God. The authors of this book do not mince words as they confront the common secret sins of American teenagers and the lies that lead to sin. Each chapter covers 2-4 common lies that today’s Christian teenagers believe and counteracts them with Biblical truth. Here are some of the Lies Young Women Believe
:
“God is not enough.”
“I’ve never been exposed to satanic activities.”
“Beautiful girls are worth more.”
“I need a boyfriend.”
“I can’t handle the loneliness of staying pure.”
“It’s OK to be one person at home and a different person with others . . . especially online.”
“I’m my own authority.”
“My youth pastor is my connection to God.”
“I can’t overcome my sin.”
“The benefits of constant media use outweigh the harm.”
And the big one . . .
“Having a career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being ‘just’ a wife and mom.”
Even at my (ahem) age, I still identify with a lot of the issues described in this book. I can’t participate in any kind of activity outside of my home without being nearly overwhelmed by the immorality, alcohol abuse, and general sleaze that characterizes today’s young women. The really sad thing is that girls that grew up in churches are buying into the lies American culture (i.e. the devil) tells them. I have been incredibly discouraged in recent years by the number of my own personal friends who have fallen into major sin and dumped Christianity altogether.
But that’s not the end of the story. There are a few – very few teenage girls out there who are striving to live a life of purity. They need encouragement. Some of them may not have any Christian friends. Their parents may not support their decision to live a set-apart life. It is incredibly important for us older (relatively
) women to cheer these girls on as they strive to follow Christ.
If you know any teenage girls who are confused, struggling, and unsure of what is right or wrong, this would be an excellent book to give as a gift. This book sets the uncompromising truth of God’s Word in opposition to the most common lies of our culture.
The book is mainly targeted to the 13-18 age group and is quite readable. One weakness of the book, I think, is that it doesn’t explain the basics of Christianity well enough to be understood by a non-Christian. If you give it to a girl who has had little exposure to Christianity, you will want to include other Christian literature as well. For those younger girls who have been blessed enough not to be exposed to much of the immorality of their generation, I would recommend seeking parental guidance before reading the book as it does deal explicity with certain sins common among American teens.
You can get the book here. There is also a website that goes with this book.
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May 22nd, 2009 - 8:25 am
it would seem that i myself need to read this – i was recently convicted of another lie that i’d been believing and i was amazed at what a huge influence it had had with regards to my relationship with God and with those around me. it’s closely related with the first lie you mention, and that is that God isn’t good.
oh, i’d never have said it out loud. i didn’t conciously think it even.
but i believed it.
and that in itself was enough and it kept me in the chains of “orphanhood”.
but Jesus is in the business of breaking chains.
and another thing:
God IS good!!
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May 22nd, 2009 - 11:51 pm
I have read this book and you did a wonderful review of it.
I can’t even tell you how much I can relate to what you said….”The really sad thing is that girls that grew up in churches are buying into the lies American culture (i.e. the devil) tells them. I have been incredibly discouraged in recent years by the number of my own personal friends who have fallen into major sin and dumped Christianity altogether.”
I have seen/experienced that in some of my friends and the saddest part is that church youth leaders don’t even see it themselves. I simply cannot believe the type of “leaders” that churches put in charge over the youth. They are terrifyingly ignorant of the many core-issues and problems and they’re much too concerned about keeping the peace and comfort than confronting the sin and lies.
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May 24th, 2009 - 9:13 pm
@warrior_poets - Yes, it’s really sad to see what’s going on among churched young people. So many of them don’t even have a basic idea of the difference between right and wrong.
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May 24th, 2009 - 9:18 pm
@pearl_magriet - I was thinking about that today to. It’s so easy to subconsciously deny God’s goodness even when we outwardly say that we believe that God is good. Accepting the truth of God’s goodness is life-changing!
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