The darkness enveloped John as he stumbled along every day barely making it. He had allowed the light within him to grow dim.
An ominous voice whispered from the shadows, and John spun around, heart pounding.
“Going somewhere, John?” the sly voice asked.
John squinted into the void. “Who’s there?”
“An old friend,” came the reply. “I couldn’t help but notice you wandering about in the dark. Seems you’ve lost your way.”
The truth dawned on John. “Your lies won’t work on me, devil!” he declared with more confidence than he felt. “Be gone from me!”
The devil chuckled. “What if I told you your wife no longer loves you? Or that God has abandoned you? Would you believe me then?”
John faltered. Hadn’t he secretly wondered those very things?
John took a deep breath, remembering what Jesus said in John 8:44 (NIV):
“He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
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Lies hold people captive, but truth brings freedom. If he detected and rejected the devil’s lies, he could walk in victory again.
“I renounce your lies, Satan!” John shouted. “My God is light in whom there is no darkness at all!”
A bright glow erupted in John’s spirit, driving back the darkness. He could see the path ahead clearly now.
John raised his shield of faith, ready to dispel every lie, and declared: “It is written, Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).
The Bible says that the Word of God is a weapon you can use, just like John did, to defeat the lies of the devil.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
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In this post, I’m going to expose 7 common deceptions Satan uses against Christians. I hope that you will be able to identify any lies you may be believing in these areas.
Jesus promised that if we continue in His word, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8:32). Let’s get started!
1. Lies About God
One major way the devil deceives people is by telling them lies about God’s character and nature.
Some of his favorite lies include:
- God doesn’t exist.
- God doesn’t care about me.
- God is angry at me.
- God can’t be trusted.
- God is keeping good things from me.
The enemy works hard to distort who God is because he knows if people knew how loving, merciful, and good God is, they would run to Him and never look back. So Satan fills our minds with doubts and fears about God’s trustworthiness.
Another deception Satan spreads is the idea that human beings are nothing more than highly evolved animals.
He wants people to believe the lie that we are a result of a cosmic accident rather than lovingly fashioned by God Himself.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Genesis 1:26 (NIV)
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If you don’t believe that you are created in God’s image and that your life has a purpose, you lose hope.
Don’t believe the devil’s lies about God. God loves you deeply, values you highly, and only wants good things for you.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17 (NKJV)
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You are His child, created to know Him and designed for His purpose.
2. Being a Fault Finder
Another common deception is developing a habit of fault-finding. The enemy wants your attention diverted away from your flaws by keeping you zeroed in on the faults of others.
This breeds pride, criticism, and judgment – none of which reflect the heart of Jesus.
“3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:3-4 (NKJV)
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When your eyes are fixed on other people’s shortcomings, you’ll become blind to your own.
This will prevent you from growing spiritually. Why work to improve yourself when it’s so much easier to pick at everyone else?
A sure sign of spiritual maturity is when you can honestly say that there is no one you are angry or offended with.
If you constantly see the sin in others while making excuses for your own, you are falling for one of the devil’s oldest tricks.
To break free from fault-finding, pray for humility and grace. Ask God to show you the areas you need growth rather than obsessing over someone else’s.
We all have flaws and struggles, so be patient with others. And remember that correction offered in love is much better received than harsh criticism.
3. Hatred, Anger, and Unforgiveness
Where there is hatred, the enemy is at work. The devil aims to divide people by sowing bitterness, rage, and resentment in their hearts.
The Bible tells us that anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in darkness (1 John 2:9).
Unresolved anger gives the devil an entry point into your life. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) warns:
“26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.”
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Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. It damages you much more than the other person.
Similarly, refusing to forgive others opens up your life to the enemy’s influence.
Remember that forgiveness is a choice you make for your benefit, not the other person’s.
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV)
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When you choose not to forgive, you remain bonded to someone who may not even be thinking about you anymore!
Do a heart check for any anger, rage, bitterness, or unforgiveness. These things may feel justified in the moment but they cause your heart to drift from God.
Don’t give Satan this ground in your life!
4. Judging Others
Judging others is a trap we often fall right into without realizing it. Finding fault and judging the motives of others comes naturally.
Jesus sternly warned us:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Matthew 7:1 (NIV)
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It’s easy to see the minor flaws in others while ignoring the gaping holes in your own life.
You might judge someone’s outfit, parenting style, career choice, or church attendance when you are hiding sin and living in hypocrisy.
God cares much more about your walk with Him than how you perceive others. You have zero responsibility over others’ choices – only your own.
So keep your eyes fixed on living right before God. Let Him be the judge of others’ hearts.
5. Gossip and Rumors
Gossiping about others is like handing bullets to the enemy. It destroys unity, trust, and morale.
“For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”
2 Corinthians 12:20 (NIV)
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As followers of Jesus, we are called to build others up with our words and extend grace to those who fail. After all, Christ extended unbelievable grace to us!
The world uses words to tear down and divide. But as Christians, we should speak words that encourage and restore.
Do not get trapped into spreading rumors or talking bad about others – even if the details are juicy. Pray for them instead.
Think carefully about the words that come out of your mouth. Are they life-giving or toxic? Do they build trust or destroy it?
Stick to discussing topics that are uplifting and constructive.
Refuse to play into the enemy’s hands by indulging in gossip. The truth is, you do not need to know everyone’s business nor do you need to share it.
6. Resisting Problems vs. Resisting the Devil
When you find yourself under spiritual attack or facing painful life problems, it’s easy to resist and fight against the trial itself. You immediately go into solution and fix-it mode.
However many times, the more effective prayer is to ask God to help you to resist acting like the devil during your times of difficulty.
For example, when you experience financial hardship, the temptation might be to panic and become bitter, stingy, and impatient.
If frustrated by chronic illness, you may become depressed, angry, self-focused, and withdrawn from God. But behaving this way only makes a hard situation more difficult.
Instead of railing against the problem itself, ask God to empower you to resist acting like the enemy.
Determine to have a good attitude, stay connected to God, and continue walking in obedience despite the hardship.
Don’t stop doing good just because life gets tough. The enemy wants to use pain to embitter you, but don’t take his bait. Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21 NIV).
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
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7. Using Your Authority
A final deception Christians often fall for is failing to understand the authority they have in Christ.
When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He reclaimed authority on the earth. This authority is yours as a believer to wield in pushing back the forces of darkness.
Sadly, many Christians live in perpetual defeat because they are completely unaware of the power delegated to them.
You have authority over all the power of the evil one according to Luke 10:19 (NIV).
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
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That same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Ephesians 1:18-21). But if you never exercise it, you’ll live no differently than unbelievers.
Don’t allow Satan to persistently harass and torment you. Understand that you have the authority to resist Him, just as Jesus did during his temptation in the wilderness.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 (NIV)
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You must submit to God and actively resist the enemy rather than passively succumb to his attacks. You have been given everything needed to walk in triumph, so claim it!
Key Takeaways
- Our enemy Satan relies heavily on deception and lies to keep people in bondage. As Christians, we must be aware of his schemes.
- Any lie you believe, no matter how small, can open the door to the enemy in your life. Ask God regularly to expose any deceptions.
- Stay alert to how the devil distorts God’s character and nature. Hold tight to the truth of God’s goodness.
- Don’t major in others’ faults while ignoring your own. Keep your eyes fixed on your walk with Christ.
- Refuse to entertain gossip, bitterness, and unforgiveness. These give the devil a foothold.
- Pray for empowerment to resist acting like the devil during attacks, not just against the attack itself.
- Understand and use the authority given to you in Christ to defeat the enemy. Don’t live in complacency and defeat.
Conclusion
Learning to identify and resist the devil’s deceptions is a life-long journey. But as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus by immersing yourself in God’s Word, the enemy’s power over you weakens.
Never buy into the lie that you are helpless against Satan’s attacks. Through Christ, you have everything needed to walk in freedom and victory!
I pray this post has equipped you to better spot and refute the lies Satan whispers to you. You are upheld by the mighty hand of God and He desires you to live fully alive in His truth.
There is no deception the light of Jesus cannot pierce! Keep pressing forward in Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I recognize the lies I’m believing?
A. Pay attention to your emotions as they often signal deception lurking beneath the surface.
If you consistently feel condemned, anxious, insecure, or defeated, ask God to reveal any lies fueling these feelings. Lies keep you trapped in negative emotional patterns.
Q. What about gray area issues that aren’t clearly spelled out?
A. Regarding topics not clearly black and white, prayerfully evaluate whether something is helpful vs. harmful.
Examine the fruit of a certain belief – does it produce life or destruction? Stay connected to God’s Spirit for wisdom.
Most lies can be detected by simply staying in God’s Word.
Q. Is it wrong to ever judge others? What about addressing sin?
A. We must make judgments every day to discern what is wise and safe. But judging someone’s heart, motives, and standing with God is different. You cannot know these fully. Lovingly addressing sin in someone’s life to help them is much different than attacking their character.
Q. How can I tell the difference between conviction from the Holy Spirit and condemnation from the enemy?
A. Conviction says you did something wrong but you are still loved and forgiven. It leads you to God’s mercy.
Condemnation says you are wrong and unworthy of love and that something is inherently wrong with you. Condemnation drives you away from God.
Q. What if I feel nothing is really wrong in my life but I still feel stuck?
A. Apathy and complacency can also indicate deception. If you feel you do not need change, be wary. We all have blind spots and room for growth.
Pray for open eyes to see yourself clearly and humility to admit when changes are needed. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
