Combating Satan's Lies - Paula Rimes
“You’re not good enough.” “Are you sure they would even miss you if you were gone?” “God is being unfair to bring this trial into your life.” These, and countless more, are LIES that Satan whispers in our ears. In recent days, I’ve heard from several ladies and teen girls about how Satan is working on their thought life. As I listen, I am reminded of my own personal struggles with Satan whispering in my ear causing me to let my own mind run out of control with worry and fear. Lest we feel like we are alone in this struggle, we can go back to the very beginning of time and see how the Devil works.
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:1-6
Starting back in the Garden of Eden, we find some of Satan’s tactics. He begins by questioning God’s Word. He brings doubt to the situation causing Eve to question what God has already said. We also see that he is subtle. Even still today, Satan is an expert at infiltrating unbiblical philosophies into our minds, and he uses multiple avenues to do so. Whether it’s TV, social media, or even well-meaning friends, Satan is a master at sowing wrong thinking into our lives. Oftentimes, we don’t even notice. We continue to see in verse 4 how that Satan points out that God is withholding something from Eve. He is also good at sowing the seed that your needs aren’t being met. Of course, we know the end of the story and all of this ends in Eve being deceived.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I Peter 5:8
“…For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10b
“…for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44b
It’s important that we recognize our enemy for who he is. In John 10:10, we are reminded that he is a thief coming to steal, kill and destroy. In I Peter 5:8, he’s a roaring lion seeking to devour. In Revelation 12:10, he accuses the brethren. For me personally, the area where I find him hardest at work in my life, is as a LIAR. John 8:44 says “he is a liar and the father of it.” It is good for us to be reminded that Satan offers NOTHING that is beneficial to our lives.
Knowing Satan’s tactics and recognizing that he doesn’t have anything good to offer me, I find myself wanting to combat the lies that he is whispering in my ear. How do I do that?
1. Become so familiar with the TRUTH, you are able to filter EVERYTHING that comes to you through the Word of God.
Our church treasurer, LeeAnn, works at a bank. When she was training to spot counterfeit bills, she said that they don’t just show them fakes. They teach them to be so familiar with real money that when a counterfeit comes across their desk, they can spot it just by how it feels. So it should be with God’s Word. We should be so familiar with the TRUTH that when a deception or wrong philosophy crosses our path, we should be able to spot it.
2. Remember that Satan often comes to deceive you when you are in a place of weakness or struggle in your life.
In Matthew 4, we read the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan. We see that Jesus responds to Satan with Scripture three different times. Jesus was submitted to that Scripture.
Often, these times of weakness or conflict may not even be situations or health concerns that can be changed, but we should be on high alert that our adversary is working during this struggle. I know personally that hormonal changes can affect my thinking, and of course, death, illness, abuse, family issues and depression often leave us in a place of vulnerability to the working of Satan. Recognize this.
3. Actively combat the thoughts (LIES) Satan whispers in your ear with the TRUTH of God’s Word!
Memorize it! Listen to it! Quote it! Meditate on it! Submit to it! Everything else in our life is clamoring for our attention. It requires an active choice to spend time in God’s Word.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
4. Remember that God has given us the Victory.
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4
Though Satan is unrelenting and never seems to stop, the God that lives inside of you is greater. HE is able to help you combat the lies of the Devil.