Satan is a liar. There is no truth that comes from him. The words he speaks over us contain no life. Everywhere he goes, he leaves behind the stench of death and decay. He whispers weakness into our ears and slander into our souls. We shouldn’t be surprised, though. Jesus told us in no uncertain terms that at the core of Satan’s character, deception is the only thing that can be found.

…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
— John 8:44

Knowing what we know to be true of Satan begs the question: Why do we listen so intently to his lies about us, our families, our careers, our futures, our faith and our Savior?

Over the past couple of years I have submitted myself to wise and godly counsel in an effort to get to the root of my own personal insecurities. I still have a long way to go, but I have also learned a lot along the way. The number one thing I have learned is that I spent more time listening to what the enemy says about me than the time I spent listening to what God says about me. The result was a mind wrecked with fear and self hate.

When I realized just how unhealthy I had become, all I knew to do was get into the Word of God and plead with him to speak truth into my heart and mind. He was faithful to do so, but I still wrestled with what to do with Satan’s lies. The Lord took me to 2 Corinthians, where it says:

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
— 2 Corinthians 10:5

The Holy Spirit of God, through the Word of God, has given me the power to take those terrible, false, ugly lies from Satan captive and force them to submit to the truth. Want to know the trick? Every time you start to hear whispers of shame, guilt, condemnation, insecurity, fear, jealousy or slander, simply ask yourself the question: “Who told you that?” When we are able to properly identify the source, we are then able to quickly shut it down.

Satan is a liar. Don’t listen to him. He isn’t entitled to any part of your mind, so don’t let him live there any longer.