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The Lies that Bind: Reclaiming Your Worth by Embracing God's Truth
Let go of the lies. Embrace God's truth. And live in the joy and freedom He longs for you to have.
Perfectionism. People-pleasing. Insecurity. Fear. These everyday struggles quietly rob us of peace, joy, and a sense of worth. In The Lies That Bind, award-winning author and inspirational speaker Tara Johnson gently exposes the lies we believe—and shows how God's truth can set us free.
With compassion and clarity, Johnson unpacks the spiritual and emotional impact of
The lie of fear The lie of productivity The lie of perfectionism The lie of people-pleasing The lie of depression The lie of insecurity The lie of willpowerEach chapter helps you break free by offering
A Bible verse to anchor you in truth A Reader Takeaway to summarize the key message A Truth to replace the lie A reflection question for deeper insightPerfect for individual reading or small-group study—complete with a group discussion guide—The Lies That Bind will help you reclaim your God-given worth and live each day with renewed confidence, peace, and purpose.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
About the author
Tara Johnson
15 books431 followersTara writes stories that help people break free from the lies they believe about themselves. Tara is a history nerd, a passionate lover of comedy, and will happily play basketball with anyone who asks. She writes historical romance, and her favorite love is the Civil War.
Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and finaled in the Carol and Christy Awards. She has articles published in Plain Truth Magazine and Live It Loud Magazine and has been a featured guest on Voice of Truth radio, Enduring Word radio, television and podcasts. Tara is a member of ACFW and is represented by Janet Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency. She, her husband, and children live in Arkansas.
Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and finaled in the Carol and Christy Awards. She has articles published in Plain Truth Magazine and Live It Loud Magazine and has been a featured guest on Voice of Truth radio, Enduring Word radio, television and podcasts. Tara is a member of ACFW and is represented by Janet Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency. She, her husband, and children live in Arkansas.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 4, 2026
The Lies That Bind is a beautifully written guide for Christians. I found it very helpful.
It's easy these days to get lost in what everyone else needs from us, which then leads to us giving our all for others, instead of for our own spiritual journey, and for Jesus.
It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but it did give me reminders of things I had put to the back of my mind and made me push them to the forefront, where they should have been all along.
The Lies That Bind also reminded me that, we don't need to be perfect, Jesus loves us no matter what.
Tara not only tells us of her own experiences with all these life lessons, she also backs them up with relevant Bible passages.
I highly recommend.
5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley, Guideposts, and Tara Johnson.
It's easy these days to get lost in what everyone else needs from us, which then leads to us giving our all for others, instead of for our own spiritual journey, and for Jesus.
It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but it did give me reminders of things I had put to the back of my mind and made me push them to the forefront, where they should have been all along.
The Lies That Bind also reminded me that, we don't need to be perfect, Jesus loves us no matter what.
Tara not only tells us of her own experiences with all these life lessons, she also backs them up with relevant Bible passages.
I highly recommend.
5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley, Guideposts, and Tara Johnson.
June 8, 2026
I met Tara Johnson during an online meeting and loved her infectious smile and positivity, so I wanted to read something she had written.
“The Lies That Bind: Reclaiming Your Worth by Embracing God’s Truth” by Johnson is a stunning tribute to the transformational power of an Almighty God. Chapter 1 was enough to make me want to keep turning the pages and purchase another of Johnson’s books. Tara’s raw vulnerability and truth impacted me.
Johnson’s book is about 170 pages of reading and doesn’t take much time compared to a lengthier self-help book or a 500-page novel. But it’s packed with valuable information that will make your life more rewarding and joyous. The author pulls you into her experiences, whether she is speaking to group of female inmates or a group of church ladies at a retreat. Surprisingly both groups raise their hand, indicating whether they have ever thought they were worthless. This raising of hands provided an effective hook for me as a reader to become fully engaged and committed throughout the book. From this hook forward, I scanned my church building and looked inside myself, wondering how many church ladies appear to have it all together but inwardly think of themselves as unworthy.
One of my favorite pleasures of reading this book was how safe I felt reading Tara’s heartfelt emotional struggles. I loved learning how even more difficult it can be to be a preacher’s kid, raised to an even a higher standard than many children and having to appear like you have it all together, because what will the congregation members think? Some of my most poignant memories of shared moments with the author included when Tara’s friends remarked about the deliciousness of tomatoes and Tara didn’t like tomatoes yet said, “Nothing better.” Her answer rang true. How many times had I “gone along” with a sister or friend’s opinion just so I could avoid conflict or disapproval? All in all, I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone struggling with finding their own voice and opinions, and becoming the unique (and flawed) person God created them to be.
If you enjoyed “The Lies That Bind: Reclaiming Your Worth by Embracing God’s Truth” by Tara Johnson, you might also enjoy “PrayerWalk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Strength & Discipline” by Janet Holm McHenry, “The Freedom of Surrender: 40 Devotions for a Joyful Life in Christ” by Mary DeMuth, “His Princess: Love Letters from Your King” by Sheri Rose Shepherd, and “The Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits” by Rachel Dodge.
“The Lies That Bind: Reclaiming Your Worth by Embracing God’s Truth” by Johnson is a stunning tribute to the transformational power of an Almighty God. Chapter 1 was enough to make me want to keep turning the pages and purchase another of Johnson’s books. Tara’s raw vulnerability and truth impacted me.
Johnson’s book is about 170 pages of reading and doesn’t take much time compared to a lengthier self-help book or a 500-page novel. But it’s packed with valuable information that will make your life more rewarding and joyous. The author pulls you into her experiences, whether she is speaking to group of female inmates or a group of church ladies at a retreat. Surprisingly both groups raise their hand, indicating whether they have ever thought they were worthless. This raising of hands provided an effective hook for me as a reader to become fully engaged and committed throughout the book. From this hook forward, I scanned my church building and looked inside myself, wondering how many church ladies appear to have it all together but inwardly think of themselves as unworthy.
One of my favorite pleasures of reading this book was how safe I felt reading Tara’s heartfelt emotional struggles. I loved learning how even more difficult it can be to be a preacher’s kid, raised to an even a higher standard than many children and having to appear like you have it all together, because what will the congregation members think? Some of my most poignant memories of shared moments with the author included when Tara’s friends remarked about the deliciousness of tomatoes and Tara didn’t like tomatoes yet said, “Nothing better.” Her answer rang true. How many times had I “gone along” with a sister or friend’s opinion just so I could avoid conflict or disapproval? All in all, I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone struggling with finding their own voice and opinions, and becoming the unique (and flawed) person God created them to be.
If you enjoyed “The Lies That Bind: Reclaiming Your Worth by Embracing God’s Truth” by Tara Johnson, you might also enjoy “PrayerWalk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Strength & Discipline” by Janet Holm McHenry, “The Freedom of Surrender: 40 Devotions for a Joyful Life in Christ” by Mary DeMuth, “His Princess: Love Letters from Your King” by Sheri Rose Shepherd, and “The Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits” by Rachel Dodge.
April 10, 2026
I hadn’t heard of Tara Johnson before, but I’m really glad I picked up The Lies That Bind: Reclaiming Your Worth by Embracing God's Truth through NetGalley.
For such a short book (under 200 pages), it’s surprisingly rich—I ended up underlining nearly two dozen passages. There are lots of small but powerful insights that make you pause and reflect. One line that really sums up the heart of the book is: “Because we can’t make any peace with ourselves, we try instead to hide ourselves.”
I appreciated how the author challenges common internal lies in a very relatable way—like the idea that if we feel or think something, it must be true. She’s honest and transparent enough to make you feel understood, but also direct enough to challenge you to actually change.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the reminder that our emotions aren’t always an accurate reflection of reality. Also, that working for God is not the same as being close to God—something I think is easy to forget. The emphasis on presence over performance and intimacy over independence really stayed with me.
There are also some lovely illustrations and quotes throughout. The quote shared by James Hewett about God using broken things was especially encouraging, and the “cracked pot” story (an Indian fable) was simple but beautiful.
I also really liked the distinction between condemnation and conviction—how condemnation tears you down, but conviction reveals truth in love. That was both grounding and reassuring.
Overall, this is a very encouraging and thoughtful read, especially for those who struggle with comparison or self-worth. It’s not necessarily full of completely new ideas, which is why it’s a 4⭐ for me, but it presents them in a fresh and meaningful way.
For such a short book (under 200 pages), it’s surprisingly rich—I ended up underlining nearly two dozen passages. There are lots of small but powerful insights that make you pause and reflect. One line that really sums up the heart of the book is: “Because we can’t make any peace with ourselves, we try instead to hide ourselves.”
I appreciated how the author challenges common internal lies in a very relatable way—like the idea that if we feel or think something, it must be true. She’s honest and transparent enough to make you feel understood, but also direct enough to challenge you to actually change.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the reminder that our emotions aren’t always an accurate reflection of reality. Also, that working for God is not the same as being close to God—something I think is easy to forget. The emphasis on presence over performance and intimacy over independence really stayed with me.
There are also some lovely illustrations and quotes throughout. The quote shared by James Hewett about God using broken things was especially encouraging, and the “cracked pot” story (an Indian fable) was simple but beautiful.
I also really liked the distinction between condemnation and conviction—how condemnation tears you down, but conviction reveals truth in love. That was both grounding and reassuring.
Overall, this is a very encouraging and thoughtful read, especially for those who struggle with comparison or self-worth. It’s not necessarily full of completely new ideas, which is why it’s a 4⭐ for me, but it presents them in a fresh and meaningful way.
April 10, 2026
I truly appreciated Tara Johnson’s vulnerable and authentic sharing of her struggles. In a straightforward manner, the author addresses very common lies that have easily become normalized. Using word pictures and examples, truth is revealed. The compassion reflected in these words really stayed with me. There was no guilt or shame for having fallen for a lie but instead guidance to the truth. Certainly, a book that I will return to often. There is a discussion guide included for each chapter making the book great for groups to read together.
July 1, 2026
This was a great bible study! The lies that author Tara points out really resonated with me.
September 29, 2026
This book was timely for me, and I LOVED the appendix of truths for particular lies at the end of the book! I have them saved in my phone!!
April 18, 2026
Very Helpful. Well worth reading.
It feels as if Tara Johnson looked into my heart, and read through my journals of earlier times in life (and sometimes even today) as she choose lies we believe about ourselves. Using Scripture and personal
Illustrations, she demonstrates how the truth of God's word addresses these peace, joy and hope stealers. I think I highlighted more in this book than any other of this genre. I appreciated the author's openness, vulnerability, and honesty as she walks the road we all walk to live life for the glory of God while reflecting Jesus Christ.
It feels as if Tara Johnson looked into my heart, and read through my journals of earlier times in life (and sometimes even today) as she choose lies we believe about ourselves. Using Scripture and personal
Illustrations, she demonstrates how the truth of God's word addresses these peace, joy and hope stealers. I think I highlighted more in this book than any other of this genre. I appreciated the author's openness, vulnerability, and honesty as she walks the road we all walk to live life for the glory of God while reflecting Jesus Christ.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews