Battling Satan’s Lies with God’s Truth

We are in a battle. Satan loves to fill us with lies that render us impotent to growth in marriage, parenting or even ministry. He picks at the broken parts of our soul causing us to feel defective, unlovable and stuck. We either lash out trying to prove ourselves or retreat into hiding. But when we embrace God’s unconditional love, rather than striving to measure up, we can learn from past experiences, conflict or suffering. Instead of shrinking into isolation, shame and believing Satan’s lies, we choose to move forward in confidence. We have the courage to live fully known by sharing our  insecurities, failures, hopes and dreams. But Satan doesn’t stop coming at us with lies. He waits for just the right moment and then he’s right back at it, speaking the same old lies, and trying to make us doubt who we are.

How to Battle

In order to battle Satan’s lies, we have to fill ourselves with God’s truth.  Friends can speak truth to us when we share our insecurities. When we struggle, our spouse can pray over us filling us with truth. But more than anything we need to equip ourselves by speaking God’s truth over ourselves.

I’ll be honest, I am terrible at memorizing God’s words. But this year, I have battled like I have never battled before.

About a year ago, I sat down to write the lies that the enemy uses against me. Immediately 8 lies poured onto my paper. Lies the enemy uses to discourage me, divide me from relationships and render me ineffective. The lies resonated with me so deeply that it brought tears to my eyes to write them down.

Afterwards, I spent time writing down the truth about each lie. The truths also came easily. It’s not that I don’t know the truth, but when I am weak, Satan messes with me.

Melanie challenged me to find scripture to support the truth and to put them to memory. I have spent the year putting those scriptures to memory and I find them oddly comforting. Like my favorite pair of jeans that fit like a glove.

I thought I would give you a window into my life by sharing a few of my lies and God’s truths. Some of them may resonate with you too. Hopefully they will inspire you to sit down and write your own list of lies that Satan uses against you. Afterwards spend the time to search God’s word and arm yourself with scripture.

Satan will do all he can to render you ineffective. He will try to make you feel unlovable and broken and to divide you from your most important relationships. We have to know God’s truth and speak it over ourselves. Satan tries to drive us into hiding, and so I guess this is just another way that I tell Satan, “I will not hide! I will be known.”

Lie 1.) You are dumb, ugly, selfish and incapable

Truth – Psalm 139:14 – Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex.  Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

I am God’s masterpiece! He created me complicated, and so very complex. I am not like my husband, or my friends. I am completely unique. God has made me new so that I can do the things He planned for me long ago.

You are God’s masterpiece.

Lie 2.) No one can hear you through your awkwardness

Truth – 2 Cor 12:10 – That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I never imagined I would someday teach and speak about sex. When women share the impact of my words, I am often dumbfounded. I know that God does His finest work when I remember how incapable I am on my own and I cry out for God’s help.

Do what God calls you to regardless of whether it is easy. Ask God for His help and watch Him work.

Lie 3.) – You are not making a difference

Truth – John 15:5 – Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Producing fruit is not dependent on how hard I try, how eloquent I speak or how smart I am. I can do nothing on my own. God is the one who changes lives.

Stay connected to God. With Him you can accomplish more than you can imagine.

Lie 4.) – You are not a good friend.

Truth – Proverbs 27:17- As Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

God wants me to have true friendships built on honesty. Friends that will ask hard questions and expect honest answers. Friends that I can speak truth to without taking offense. I want my friends to point me to God.

Friends sharpen each other.

Final Thoughts

We are in a battle. Satan will do all that he can to fill us with doubts and insecurities so that we operate out of fear rather than love. He throws the same lies at us, over and over, because he knows they will resonate with us. Prepare for battle by sitting down and writing out the lies. Then arm yourself with God’s word and speak it! God has a plan for your life.