The Lie You Don't Know You Believe: How to Find It, Fight It, and Live Free

by Jennie Allen

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Spirituality, Self Help, Christian Living

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Jennie Allen, Bible teacher, author, and the visionary behind IF:Gathering and Gather25, a 25-hour global prayer gathering. Driven by a deep love for God and an unyielding belief in the potential of this generation, Jennie's mission is to disciple a generation of Jesus followers to live what they believe.

Through her writing and teaching, Jennie seeks to convey a simple yet profound truth: God sees you, loves you, and invites you to play your part in His unfolding story. She has witnessed firsthand the miraculous work of Jesus when people fully surrender to Him.

Jennie is a passionate leader following God's call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Jennie is the New York Times' best-selling author of Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People and Get Out of Your Head. Jennie has a masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children.

Reviews

[Jessica Wilhoite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was amazing!

I forgot I was even reviewing this book as I was reading it - I was taking copious amounts of notes, not for the review, but for myself.

I learned a lot while reading this book. I didn't realize that everyone has a core lie that they don't even realize is a lie. Part of what Jennie Allen talks about in this book is that we have to name our lie, this way it loses power over us because we are no longer facing it alone, but with community (even if it's just one other person).

So - brave moment - I will name what I discovered is my core lie...but first, a little backstory... I have dealt with anxiety for my whole life and, as a child, didn't even know it was anxiety because it wasn't really talked about when I was little. I thought that the shaking; knots in the stomach; inability to breathe; being short of breath; heart pounding; feeling detached from reality; etc...was all completely normal (horrible, but normal). I had no idea that other people lived without these symptoms. As an adult, I learned about anxiety; have been on medications (trying to get the right ones for me); been in therapy; been on my knees in prayer (my whole life); reading self-help books; doing all the things.

So - what is my core lie? It is that I am my anxiety; I will never overcome it; and it will cripple me forever. What is the truth? I am not my anxiety; I can overcome it with the power of God; and it will not cripple me forever. I am a child of God, a daughter of the Most High King - this is no surprise to Him, He already has it all worked out.

Other gems from this book:
1. "If a lie is repeated enough, the brain starts to accept it as true".
2. "Naming means knowing. It means knowing what we're up against".
3. "Surrender admits the gap is too wide to cross alone; surrender kneels. When we surrender, the ground beneath us shifts. Jesus crosses that gap".
4. "God isn't tolerating me - He actually likes me"!
5. "Make space for grace - grace is how we fight".

This book is definitely NOT to be missed. Whether you read it for yourself or to help someone else, there is something for everyone in this book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5*

Jennie Allen

[Anna Sincock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review:

As a long time fan of IF:Gathering and Jennie’s other books, I had high hopes for this one! I really wanted to love it—but it ultimately fell short. While there were certainly helpful points, poignant reminders, etc. I walked away with a sense that this book should only be needed as a last resort for those who do not spend time in God’s Word, are not being discipled, and do not have good theology. Ultimately, if we know God’s Word, believe it, and live it—the “lies” Jenny describes, such as “I’m worthless” shouldn’t be imbedded in our hearts in the first place. The gospel proves them untrue. If we believe these lies, are we truly believing the Gospel? I wrestled with this question all throughout reading this book.

If I had a friend who truly believed the lie that she is worthless, I’d dive into Scripture with her, I’d help her build robust theology, I’d walk alongside her in prayer and in applying the truth of God’s word, but I wouldn’t point her to this book.

[Wynne Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read any and every book Jennie publishes, and this one came at such a good time for me. I listened to the preview (3 min) on a walk, and it got me thinking so I knew I had to listen to the whole thing. I know I'll go back and listen again, and I really want my teenage daughter to listen to it as well. I've brought up so many of the things Jennie talked about in conversation with friends. It brought me back to what my freedom in Christ is truly to me! What I'm freed from, and what I'm free to do and be. Really loved this one.

[Laura G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, especially for the season I am in. It was very encouraging and Jennie writes with God given authority!

[Rachel Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my outlook on myself and my relationship God as well as other people.

[Lindsey Poe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could’ve been a one-page article.

[Elizabeth Owusu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt very shallow and repetitive. I couldn’t bring myself to finish it. I love Jennie Allen, but honestly, the message could’ve been deeper.

[Abigayle Jonse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good Christian book! I love Jennie Allen already and how she explains things so this book was also very good! It was informative about the 3 lies we could be believe about ourselves, how we might be responding, how we can respond instead and so many other practical applications!

[Del Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley and Jennie's Fight Club advance copy.

The Lie you dont know you believe is powerful. it helps you to renew your mind and finding freedom in truth.

I have read several of Jennie's books and enjoy them. I have also attended many If Gathering local events and helped host a few IF locals over the years.

I really enjoy how she puts her real life into the pages and share how she isnt above the problems the rest of us suffer from. she helps break it down and shows us how to apply scripture to our lives.

This book has lots of helpful tips on helping to break the lies of the devil and to come in to the Kingdom of Light. there are lots of good nuggets and helpful pieces.

A wonderful quote from the book is:
That's the freedom you've been invited into. walk in it. live in it. Steak your life on it. Because the lie is not the loudest voice anymore. Love is

We need to identify the lies in our life that we believe. then we need to fight them so that we can walk in the light of Jesus. We may fall back into the lies but its important to keep fighting and Jennie gives us scripture to use to help with the fight.

I would recommend this to teens and adults alike to help them to see where they maybe believing lies and to bring them into how to fight it.

I think teens could use this as a way to help them to come to the truth sooner so that they are not held in the bandage from the start. People of all ages could use this!

[Vianey Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who’s been working through their core lies in counseling for a few months now, this book came at the right time. Jennie did it again with this one. I think to become a healthier human, one must do the hard work of healing those core lies. A good way to start? This book!

[Wes Jakacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me identity my core lie and replace it with God’s truth.

[Megan Dyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, but it didn’t land for me. Jennie Allen builds the entire book around the idea that we all believe one core lie (helpless, unlovable, or worthless), and it often feels forced and overly generalized. Instead of recognizing nuance, it reads like she’s trying to fit every reader into the same box, whether it actually applies or not.

While the message is biblically grounded, nothing here felt new or particularly insightful if you’re already familiar with Scripture. It came across more like drawn-out reminders than deep or original ideas. Some of the more charismatic elements and anecdotal claims also felt questionable and distracting. The quiz and related content also felt gimmicky, almost like it’s trying to push readers into believing they feel worse about themselves than they actually do.

There are a few solid takeaways about how thoughts shape beliefs and the importance of surrendering to God, but overall this felt repetitive, overly broad, and less grounded than I expected.

[Nic Sworen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses a lot of words to say very little. The things it does say are mildly interesting, but not new and frankly not worth wading through the rest of the book.

That all said I do think there is potentially tremendous value in reading this for someone who is living through a difficult time and looking for a deeply faith based book to give them hope, connection, and a path forward.

[Jeslyn Ochoa Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly it was okay. Some good food for thought but I couldn’t really get through the middle of it ending and beginning were great tho!

[Denise Ballentine · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are good points and helpful advice to be found in here, but the writing style sounds like "podcast-speak" to me. It was a quick read, but tbh, I found myself skimming over parts. I think this book was mostly transcribed from her speaking it. Very wordy. Not my type of style.

[Emma LeBouef · Rating 4 out of 5]

as always jennie ate down. i audio booked this one and i feel like it deserved a sit down read. there was so much, i felt like every sentence packed so much wisdom that if I had been reading and going slower (which i will probably go back and do :)), i would have gave it a five.

[Nicole Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and just finished it! What an empowering book that calls out the lies we most often believe & how they stop us from living in the freedom and calling God has for us. It talks about living in the kingdom of God and how that kingdom mindset helps us here on earth.

I appreciate how Jennie backs up her writing with scripture and also shares personal experiences.

This book is one I will probably end up buying to make a ton of notes and annotations in!

[Susan Mather Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her new book, The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe, Jennie Allen discusses how we are shaped by the lies we think are facts about ourselves. We don’t question their validity. We believe they are true. “That’s just how I am” is what we think as those lies create grooves along the footpaths of our minds through our thought lives.

While we believe many false things about ourselves, we have three in common that we need to fight against: I am powerless, I am worthless, and I am unlovable. We might not have all three, but we at least have one lie that keeps replaying, and Jennie wants us to speak that into the light. She counsels readers to name their lie to God and to a trusted Christian friend who can intercede for us.

To combat the lie, she wants us to search for truth in God’s Word in advance, so when the lie replays, we have our best defense. Jesus Himself modeled this for us in Matthew 4 when the Holy Spirit led Him to the desert to be tempted by Satan. Jesus also told his disciples in John 8:31-32,
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

Jennie did the heavy lifting while writing this book, so I knew what she shared were tried-and-true ways to fight the negative thoughts I have about myself. The lies she believed about herself felt obvious to her when she said them aloud. She compared the lies to drifting along in the ocean, only to be dragged out to sea with no footing.

I thought, Hey, instead of the 'name it and claim it' that used to be popular, this is 'name it and don't claim it.' In fact, live free of it."

“The lie didn’t start with me," Jennie said, "but it was trying to make a home in me. And unless I named it, I would be living under its shadow." Believing lies would also keep her from her unique calling and the work God has planned for her.

When she was 12, Jennie said she and her dad would have conversations about her life. He seemed to expect a lot from her. She took his thoughts as a cue to perform and strive for approval and esteem, instead of resting in her father’s love. She talked with him about this later in life and learned that his mother, her grandmother, also had high expectations for her father when he was growing up. He appeared to have inherited it. And he had no idea that’s what she took away from their talks. That talk and others led to healing. He broke that tie to the past.

She knew she needed to write this book, though when she heard her daughter Kate repeat one of the lies she too believed. She said it is so important to find and uproot these lies. When we bring them into the light, they lose their power over us. We all long to be known, to know we matter for who we are and not based on performance. Sometimes the anxiety we feel has a physical cause, Jennie said, but sometimes it is a soul-deep hurt that longs to find lasting healing.

I liked that C.S. Lewis' Narnia books show up in this book. Jennie said she sometimes feels like Lucy riding on Aslan’s back. She used this imagery to show how we partner with God to conquer the darkness of lies and, in that freedom, rediscover a childlike wonder. Satan attempts to obscure and twist the truth. He encourages us to dwell on our former selves and forget the inheritance we have in Christ.

And as Jennie learned from her earthly father, she wants us to know we likewise don't need to strive for the love of God. He reveals the truth of who we are when we accept Christ's gift of salvation through faith, not by works, as Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Her message is clear: Jennie wants to help readers reclaim their true identity in Christ and command the lies to leave in His name. By facing the enemy's attacks head-on, we can step out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. We can live in the freedom God intends for us.

My Review

I noticed Jennie refers to two men in this book who were her personal sources of wisdom. The first is Curt, who I believe is a cognitive behavioral therapist. His advice to Jennie is biblically sound and in keeping with what I would expect from a therapist. Her other source is John, who again uses Scripture with some great insights. But something he said bothered me.

For some context, Jennie tells a story involving a friend, Phoebe, who endured a particularly dark period in her life. She felt deep devastation, shame, and even a sense of spiritual death. Now, the great part is that the group responded by praying over Phoebe. John encouraged her to release her feelings and send them to the throne of Jesus. Perfect. That's what should happen.

But then John asked Phoebe, “Would you be willing to forgive Jesus?” Jennie did balk at the suggestion, but then gave what she believed he meant. She said that Phoebe’s relationship with Jesus had been deeply wounded by her struggles. But I had reservations about that suggestion that anyone ever needs to “forgive Jesus,” even with the explanation.

Yes, God does allow suffering, but He is not the cause. Our enemy is the source. After all, the apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:8,
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." God allows Satan some reign for now. He is called "the god of this world." He is coming for God's people daily, which is why we need to "put on the whole armor of God as Paul said, "so that [we] can take [our] stand against the devil’s schemes."

I think there's a better way to pray:

"Father God, I know this time of trial and pain first sifted through your hands. You know I'm angry. I'm in distress. Why do I have to go through this? I know that You are with me always, even to the end of this age. I know You have promised to equip me for this season, and You will use this testing of my faith for my good and Your glory.

But I feel weak right now, so please remind me of our past victories, Lord, and what You will do through me again. I want to obey You, put my trust in You, and leave all the consequences to You. In Jesus's name, amen."

I firmly believe that we can pray about our feelings of resentment, frustration, anger even, and entrust our pain to God. Maybe John likes to be provocative. I don't know. But Jesus is blameless.

That said, I kept reading. Jennie’s message is simply too powerful to overlook. Her writing is firmly rooted in Scripture, which she provides in the back of the book, and faithfully aligns with the core truths of the Gospel. Jennie draws us back to the story of Satan's temptation of Eve in Genesis 3, where humanity fell into sin. This pivotal moment marked the transformation of the world into a Kingdom of Darkness. Yet, the narrative does not end there. Christ came to dwell among us, and through His presence, He ushered in the Kingdom of Light.

Jennie’s message is a powerful call to action, urging us to stand firm and fight against the enemy's lies. She encourages us to walk boldly in the Kingdom of Light, guided by the Lion of Judah. This invitation is not just for a select few, but for anyone who needs to hear her words and be reminded of the ongoing spiritual battle between darkness and light.

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lie You Don't Know You Believe by Jennie Allen (Publishing March 30, 2026)

I picked this book up because I've loved Jennie Allen's other work, and this book felt very true to her voice and writing style. I was drawn immediately and love it from the opening paragraph.

This book was deeply encouraging, comforting, and convicting all at the same time. It met me exactly where I am , while also stretching me in ways that felt necessary and healthy. Jennie has a gift for speaking truth with both gentleness and clarity, and that really shows in this book.

One of the things I appreciated most was how consistently and thoughtfully she referenced Scripture. It served as a steady reminder of what God's Word says when our thoughts and beliefs start to drift. The book focuses on uncovering the lies we believe, particularly the core lies that we are worthless, unlovable, or helpless and then walking the reader toward the trough grounded in Scripture.

Jennie doesn't just name the problem, she gives you clear, actionable direction. The book helps you dig beneath the surface level thoughts and identify the deeper false beliefs that shape how you think, feel and live. Her writing voice feels loving and understanding, like a teacher who challenges you without shaming you.

This book includes tools and reflections that encourage real self examination, and it's definitely one I plan to return to. The process she lays out isn't something you rush through once and move on from. It's ongoing, which is why I plan to purchase a physical copy for myself. I want to be able to highlight, mark pages, and revisit the pieces to continue working on these truths.

I think this book works best as a personal read, where you can take your time and reflect honestly. That said, if friends are reading it together and willing to have open conversations, it could lead to meaningful discussions as well.

Ultimately, this book reminded me that we already have everything we need to fight the lies we believe (we just have to pinpoint the lies that have taken a stronghold). Scripture offers us truth, and this books helps point us back to it in a way that feels practical, compassionate and helpful. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to better understand the thoughts shaping their lives and learn how to replace the lies in their life with truths.

PUBLISH DATE: March 3, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe
AUTHOR: Jennie Allen
PUBLISHER: Nelson Books | Thomas Nelson
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 240

I received a complimentary digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Robin Reads a Ton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe by Jennie Allen felt like sitting down with someone who really gets the quiet battles that go on in our minds. She talks about those sneaky lies we don’t even realize we’re still holding onto, and honestly, it hit close to home for me.

What really stood out to me is how those old lies just keep showing up, even when I thought I’d already moved past them. It’s wild how easy it is to pick them back up, especially with so much noise and advice coming at us all the time. This book reminded me that paying attention to what I’m believing isn’t a one and done thing. It is something I have to keep coming back to.

Jennie Allen doesn’t just give you a pep talk and send you on your way. She really asks you to stop and look at the stories you’re telling yourself about who you are, your relationships, and your faith. I kept finding myself underlining things and thinking, wow, that’s exactly what’s going on in my head right now.

What I appreciated most is that this isn’t a quick fix kind of book. Jennie really takes the reader through the process. Helping to spot those core lies, figure out where they started, and actually practice replacing them with truth, right in the middle of real life. It felt doable, not overwhelming, and honestly, it made me want to keep going.

At the end of the day, this book is really about freedom, not just as a nice idea, but in the everyday stuff, in how we think and what we choose to believe. It challenged me to stop just letting those old thoughts run the show and to actually do something about it.

All in all, The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe really made me think. It’s not just encouraging, it actually pushes you to dig deeper, face some hard things, and grow. If you want a faith based book that goes beyond just feel good words and really gets into the heart of what you believe, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one.

[Princesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe by Jennie Allen is a compelling and eye-opening look at the subtle, often unnoticed lies that influence the way we think, live, and relate to God.

What struck me most is how practical and relatable this book is. Jennie Allen doesn’t approach the topic with harshness or shame, but with clarity and urgency. She gently peels back the layers of cultural messaging, personal insecurity, and distorted theology that can quietly shape our beliefs. Many of these lies don’t sound dramatic at first — they often feel reasonable. And that’s exactly why they’re dangerous.

As a Christian homeschooling mom, I am especially mindful of the thought patterns being formed in our home — both in my own heart and in my children’s. This book reminded me how crucial it is to examine our beliefs in the light of Scripture. The enemy doesn’t always attack loudly; sometimes he whispers. And unless we are anchored in truth, we can begin living from assumptions rather than from God’s Word.

I appreciated that the book continually points back to Scripture as the authority and solution. It isn’t about positive thinking or self-empowerment; it’s about aligning our minds with what God says is true. That distinction matters deeply.

This is a book that invites self-examination, but it also offers hope. When lies are exposed, freedom follows. And that freedom is rooted not in ourselves, but in Christ.

If you’re willing to prayerfully ask, “What might I be believing that isn’t true?” this book is a meaningful place to begin.

Thank you Nelson Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Katie Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the frustration you can’t shake traces back to a lie you’ve believed for years? This book uncovers three core lies shaping your identity and shows how to uproot them, reclaim truth, and walk in real freedom.

I have a really hard time reading some Christian living books because they don’t set me up well to define what my problem actually is. Sure, I resonate with their personal examples, but do the scenarios get to the root of my actual problem and then ultimately the wise solution the author is trying to offer? It’s often muddy.

So I was absolutely shocked when Jennie’s outline of the three core lies everyone often follows was so clear, and then the presenting questions made it so obvious to know which lie my other lies root from. The writing style is so conversationally confrontational in the best way- you feel the urgent need to respond, but it feels as though it’s coming from someone who truly cares about you.
If you’re looking to sort through some lies you’ve believed (or unknowingly believed) about yourself—you’re worthless, you’re helpless, or you’re unlovable—Jennie will not only identify the lie but clearly walk you through how to untangle it from actual truth.

Thanks @thomasnelson for the eARC!

Because I’ve listened to her speaking and have listened to other audiobooks read by her, when I was reading this I easily fell into the rhythm of her speaking and hearing her voice say it. Because she writes the way she speaks, I know this book will be good on audio and would suggest you read it via audio, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Jennie’s speaking.

Similar:
You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly
Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen

[Emily (emsalwaysreading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #15 of 2026!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley and Nelson books for the advanced copy of this book.

Thoughts

I have read every single Jennie Allen book and loved them all. Her wise biblical teachings mixed with personal stories allow readers to relate, feel heard, and most importantly, learn more about God and what he wants for us. As someone in the mental health field, much of this book was not news to me, but I enjoyed her applying biblical principles and scripture to the lies that our mind believes cognitively. In a similar vein to her book, Get Out of Your Head, Jennie uses some psychology paired with biblical teachings to help readers better understand the lies that the devil feeds us and some ways to combat it.

While I enjoyed this and it was a quick and digestible read for me, I feel that it could have been a devotional. It felt like the content did not bring much more information than some of her past books and I felt like it could have been broken up better into smaller pieces or just made into a study in and of itself. I do believe that this will serve many people, I just did not feel it to be the strongest of her books. I highly recommend Nothing to Prove, Get Out of Your Head, and Find Your People. If you want a supplemental content, than this one would be great for that! Overall, I am grateful for this author's wisdom and to read a book with such beautiful reminders of the freedom that we are destined for. This is on shelves in March.

[Brittani (Book_Byrd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an eARC for this book!
I have read some of Jennie Allen's Bible Studies in the Bible app, and watched some of her group studies with my church, but have never gotten to a full non-fiction novel by her.
I think this one is a very important read right now. This book helps you realize your negative self -talk are lies from Satan and teaches you how to realize that they are. This book is 100% aimed for Bible believing Christians, so if you aren't one, none of this will help you.
I personally found that I have learned some of the things she mentioned just living my years of life on this broken planet, but it was good to highlight for the reassurance that I have been on the right track.
Allen explains things in such a way that is simple to understand. The way she further described the encounter of Satan tempting Jesus in the desert will stick with me. It will also help remind me that if Jesus can recognize lies while thirsty and hungry, plus not give in. Then I need to strive to do that too.
The beginning chapters were strong, but she kinda lost my attention around chapter 10 or 11. Which is why I couldn't give this a 5 star. I felt like we meandered a little bit to the conclusion.
Overall, I think this is a great book to pick up if you or a Christian brother/sister are suffering from lies leading to depression or other mental health situations, isolation, and trouble with self-worth.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe by Jennie Allen is one of those rare books that gently but powerfully exposes the hidden thoughts that quietly shape our lives. Allen has a remarkable ability to take complex spiritual and emotional struggles and put them into words that feel personal, honest, and deeply relatable.

What makes this book so impactful is the way it helps readers recognize the subtle lies we often accept as truth—about ourselves, our worth, our circumstances, and even about God. Jennie Allen doesn’t approach these topics with shame or judgment. Instead, she invites readers into a compassionate process of identifying those lies and replacing them with truth grounded in faith and Scripture.

The writing feels conversational and approachable, yet the message is profound. Each chapter encourages meaningful self-reflection and provides practical ways to renew your thinking. Rather than leaving you feeling overwhelmed, the book leaves you hopeful and equipped with tools to change the patterns of thought that hold you back.

This book is especially powerful for anyone who struggles with anxiety, comparison, self-doubt, or feeling spiritually stuck. It reminds readers that transformation begins in the mind and that freedom comes from aligning our thoughts with truth.

Thought-provoking, encouraging, and deeply faith-centered, The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to grow spiritually and live with greater clarity, peace, and purpose.

[Barbara Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the title of this book and requested an ARC without looking closely to see that it was Christian self-help, not a genre I usually read or would choose to review but here we are.

The idea that no matter how good our lives are, there’s an underlying lie we believe about ourselves that we may or may not be aware of is intriguing and seems to be true. If I think about it, I have an underlying lie but years of personal development and exploration have quelled it. When I notice it, I realize it’s untrue and move on.

Jennie Allen helps readers identify their lie—there’s an online quiz to help if you don’t know yours—and then unpacks how to debunk it. Her approach is faith-based and scriptural, which for Christian readers likely provides a nice approach to psychology. The last section offers a guide to specific scripture passages to study and learn from.

Her writing is clear and swift. The examples are relatable and the tasks, actionable. For Christian readers who have an unidentified but jiggling sense that something’s wrong with them or that life could be better, this book may offer insight, comfort, and a way forward.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#netgalley #thelieyoudontknowyoubelieve

[Mhughessc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennie Allen is a notable speaker and author who champions her faith freely and fearlessly. Her latest book is titled, "The Lie You Don't Know You Believe: How to Find It, Fight It, and Live Free." This book is centered around the premise that we all fight hardship which often causes us to feel like we're navigating life through darkness. Allen asserts that "the darkness doesn't always come after you because you've sinned. Sometimes the darkness comes because you're beloved." She encourages her readers that they don't have to feel defeated by this darkness but should instead examine their thought life. Allen explains how our brains will believe anything that is repeated often enough, "not because it makes sense, but because it feels familiar." She specifies that there are three main lies we believe: I'm helpless, I'm unlovable, and I'm worthless. Filling our minds with truth rather than believing these lies is the best way to defeat the darkness and live a more joyful life.

I thought this was a good book though it didn't contain any information that was particularly new. I also found the story about a fellow airplane passenger casting spells to be very strange. Overall, this was a well-written book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Shelbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently there are three core lies, and everyone believes at least one of them. This book delves into the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light, and how we can live in freedom from the lies we believe by living in the kingdom of light. Yes, I was able to identify which of the three lies I believe in this book. Jennie also has a helpful little test online if you can't spot your lie right away. (I knew mine right off the bat.) This book talks about replacing lies with truth, but more than that, replacing the future the lies tell you that you have, with the future God tells you that you have.

My only problem with this book (if you can even call it that) is that I wish there was more practice. Maybe more pages where you can write out the lie-->truth-->scripture-->what God says. I understand that some books can get repetitive with this kind of thing, but I guess I wanted more of that. I do think I will remember parts of this book, but I wish some of the stratagies were easier to take with me and duplicate in my life. I guess I wish it was easier to remember. I will probably go back and re-write in a journal the one spot in this book where there are clear action steps in a written fill-in-the-blank format.

[Nicole Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennie Allen’s The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe broke open the floodgates for me.

Her life and ministry have already been such a gift to me and to the women I lead, but this book felt especially timely. Jennie exposes the lies the enemy quietly plants in our hearts that tell us we are not good enough, that we are alone, that we can’t do the things God is calling us to do. And she doesn’t just name the lies; she shows us how to fight back.

Scripture is clear we are in a war. There are two kingdoms, the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light and we have a choice about where we live. Jennie lays this out biblically and practically. We must identify the lies, throw them back at the enemy, and pick up the sword of the Spirit. And we cannot do that alone. Freedom happens in community. We need each other to get free.

This book reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t begin when we die, it begins now. When we stop believing lies and start believing what God says about us: that we are loved, chosen, fully accepted, and equipped by His Spirit to carry His mission of love to the ends of the earth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, small, not enough, or spiritually weary then you need to read this book. And don’t read it alone!

[Hayley Soles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some Theological heresy, her stance on us being a new creation in Christ, seemed either unthought out or showed a lack of spiritual understanding (pgs.96-98) she ultimately claims we are "good enough" "liked" by God as we are so we do not need to have Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20). I dont understand how she made the jump that having christ in us removes our individual personalities, and serves no real purpose. This entire section was false and written without proper understanding of God's word. We are NEW creations in Christ, and born again. And yes when God looks at us he Must see Christ in us, for us to be reconciled with him. We dont "lose" our physical features or personalities when Christ lives in us, but we become a new creations, veild in Christs Righteousness (2 cornithians 5:17, Ephesians 4:20-24, colossians 3:1-11) If who we are without christ in us, is enough for God to "like" us, then why did we need Christ to come and take our sins on the cross?

The book felt very redundant, it did have good points about what spiritual warfare is and how it can manifest in our lives, but every chapter was a repeat of the same chapters before. This book could have been done in 1 chapter.