How to Discern a Lie: A Review of Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh, Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free. Chicago: Moody Press, 2008.

From the moment readers pick up the book, Lies Young Women Believe, they are immediately struck by its unique look and format. This book is both visually appealing and intellectually stimulating throughout all fifteen chapters. Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh set out to expose, define, discuss, and disassemble twenty-five of the most common lies that are currently plaguing this generation of young women.

The material is divided into three main sections: "The Landscape of Lies," "Lies Young Women Believe," and "Overcoming Lies." The progression of these three sections allows both the young readers and their teachers to gain a clearer understanding of the biblical principle of how lies enter our minds and hold the potential of taking us captive, unless they are exposed by God's truth. In section one, DeMoss and Gresh use the biblical account of Eve in the Garden of Eden to explore how Satan historically and currently uses doubt to cause people to believe lies that are in contrast to God's truth. Readers are encouraged to examine their own progress of dwelling upon ideas, images, and concepts and the radical impact that has upon their understanding of truth and trust in God. Upon completion of the first section, readers are given a firm foundation for exploring twenty-five lies that they may currently believe as truth.

Section two systematically walks the reader through the twenty-five lies, while also breaking them down into digestible categories such as "Lies About God," "Lies About Satan," and "Lies About Myself." The individual categories provide the reader with an example of lies in that appropriate context, related statistics concerning the lie among young adults, Scripture that speaks to the truth needing to be exposed, and personal examples from the authors as to how they or others have intimately dealt with the topic of discussion. In this section, the authors engage some controversial modern lies such as "#24: Having a career outside of the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being 'just' a wife and mom," while boldly presenting what Scripture has to say about them in contrast to what society may have taught. Although each category does not exhaustively cover each lie, there is enough substance to evoke a healthy level of discussion in a small group, or with a parent or trusted church leader.

Section three is perhaps the most essential section in the book. Once readers have been exposed to Satan's attempts to create disbelief and doubt in section one, and later exposed to twenty-five of his most common lies in section two, this last section adequately summarizes how to ultimately overcome lies. The sub-sections of section three, entitled "How to Stop Fueling Lies," "How to Find Freedom from the Lies," and "The Truth That Sets Us Free," provide readers with step-by-step guidelines to recognize and respond to lies with God's Word. It is evident throughout the work that the purpose and passion of these authors is to expose lies and aid young women in their battles to overcome them.

The three main strengths of this book are its overall visual appeal to young women, the conversational style of writing used by the authors, and its use of appropriate Scripture to aide readers in identifying and overcoming lies. Having personally led a group of middle school and high school girls through the book, I can testify that it was an immediate hit. From the pink and lime-green cover to the splash of color and blog-bites used throughout the pages, my students were instantly drawn to the book. Beyond the visual appeal, I noticed an immediate air of comfort felt among the students of all ages in reading and understanding the material presented. The authors did an excellent job at presenting difficult material via an age-appropriate manner so that the readers can fully understand and identify with the concepts being taught. Scriptural truth is presented in an age and culturally appropriate form and will definitely leave an impact upon the reader of any age.

One weakness of this book is the lack of evangelistic emphasis. Although this is seemingly not the main thrust of the book, having personally led several non-Christian teenagers through the material, I saw where certain aspects could have been presented a little more basic and clearly for the readers who have no substantial religious background.

Overall, this book is an excellent resource for adults who want a better understanding of the lies currently plaguing this generation of young women, teachers and volunteers who work with youth in the church or public forum, and, most importantly, young women who are asking, "Is there any truth out there that will set me free?"