The Hobbs children grew up watching Sesame Street. I loved the innocent and effective educational program, and they did too. There was one segment that I especially liked. It was helpful in developing their ability to compare and contrast things by showing a group of items and noting that “one of these things doesn’t belong.”

Typically, four items were shown on the screen as the “One of These Things” theme song played in the background. Three of the items were similar, and one of them was different. As the children looked at the group of items, the lyrics to the song asked a question: “Can you tell which thing is not like the others by the time I finish this song?” Then, someone would come onscreen and reveal which thing was different.

Sometimes, the children would shout out or point out the one thing that wasn’t like the others, and I’d always praise them for getting the answer right. I knew the importance of having the ability to compare and contrast things; it was necessary for comprehension. Even as we mature beyond the Sesame Street phase, we still need to know what types of things, people, ideas and beliefs don’t belong in our lives.

More importantly, the lies of Satan have no place, and we have to know the difference between the truth of God’s word and the deceptions of the enemy. When he tries to plant a lie, say, nope. It doesn’t belong.

Earlier today, I was reading about Hananiah. He was a false prophet who stood up in the temple one day and gave out a prophecy that he said was from the Lord, but it wasn’t. In Jeremiah 28, Hananiah promised that within two years, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would release all Jewish captives and return everything he had stolen from the temple. There would be peace and restoration.

But what Hananiah said was very different from what a long line of God’s prophets had spoken, and it certainly contradicted what God told Jeremiah, a true prophet of the Lord. God had promised 70 years of Babylonian captivity for the sins Judah committed and instructed Jeremiah to wear a wooden yoke on his neck as a sign of the impending captivity (27:1-­7).

Hananiah, however, became demonstrative as he tried to pass off this lie as truth. He ripped the wooden yoke off Jeremiah’s neck, broke it and then declared that God said, “Just as this yoke has been broken, within two years I will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations” (v. 11). But soon after Hananiah’s shameful fake prophecy was released to the congregation, God sent Jeremiah to reprimand Hananiah for lying to the people. Jeremiah also pronounced death over Hananiah for his deception. Two months later, Hananiah perished.

Before Hananiah died, Jeremiah said to him in verse 15, “The Lord has not sent you, but the people believe your lies.”

Be careful what you believe, because the enemy will lie convincingly, and if you are unable to compare and contrast, you will be led astray. In your case, unlike the Jews in the Old Testament who were under the law, you have the benefit of divine grace that Christ secured on the cross. Your sins have been forgiven and washed in the blood of Jesus, and you have the promise of victory, blessings, favor, and abundant life.

So when Satan lies and tells you that you are defeated, you are not blessed, you are not favored, you will always go lacking and never get a breakthrough, call him out on his lies. Shout out and point out the fact that what the devil said is not like what God said. Therefore, it doesn’t belong in your heart. It has no place in your mind. It must not penetrate your spirit. Dispel and expel every lie with the word of God!

You are who God says you are. You will possess the promises God says you will have. You will do everything God has ordained, anointed and commanded you to do. Refuse to receive, accept or believe anything that contradicts this truth. Tell yourself, I will do it. I will become it. I will have it. I will overcome it. Why? Because God said so!

To help you rebuke Satan’s lies and receive God’s promises with a heart full of faith, I’m stirring Ephesians 1:18-20 NLT into your cup of inspiration, which is also the prayer I will leave you with you today. It says this:

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!