Standing Against Satan’s Deceit
So often we are unable to see the lies we believe until they’ve already caused chaos in our lives.
We know that Satan exists, but we forget how present he is in the day to day.
A few months ago, I reached a point where I knew I was drowning in lies. Satan had a foothold in my life and in my heart.
It seemed, just like it always had, that it was only the big things where Satan was moving.
I could see him working when something major was wrong. It was obvious then that he had a foothold.
But that is exactly what he wants us to believe - that he is only in the major problems. And the little day-to-day things - they don’t matter.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. -2 Corinthians 11:14
He doesn’t want to be seen for who he is. He doesn’t want to be exposed.
Instead, he deceives in a way that we completely miss.
He gives us a plan, a hope, a desire so close to the truth that we don’t even recognize the lie.
The enemy disguises his plans so that we unknowingly let him in and carry them out.
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That first thought during an argument that maybe, just maybe, you deserve better.
The small comparison of your life, your family, your success to your neighbors.
Allowing yourself to vent just a few small feelings about your coworker, your spouse or a fellow church member.
These are just examples of such commonly accepted things in our lives. And yet, they lead us straight to the major lies we believe about who we are.
We deserve happiness.
We are unworthy.
We can do it on our own.
There are so many deeply rooted lies in our culture that we have learned to live with. And this is exactly what Satan wants.
If we fail to recognize Satan’s deception for what it is, we walk right into his snare.
When I began actively pursuing the exposure of lies in my life, I was astounded with how often I let Satan win.
And it rarely, if ever, started with something big.
I want to encourage you today to seek to expose the lies in your life. God has already given us what we need to take a stand.
You can actively take a stand against Satan by doing these 3 things.
1. Seek to Know the Truth
Search the Scriptures daily. Target the truths you know you struggle with.
Do you struggle with your identity? Love of money? Desire for control? Gossip? Unforgiveness?
When I recognize a struggle in my life, I often do a Google search: “Bible verses about _____”.
Then I write those verses down and seek to memorize them.
Your Bible is filled with the truth for any lie that Satan tries to convince you of.
Study it. Learn it. Hide it in your heart.
Because everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. -Ephesians 5:13
Bring the light of the truth into every part of your heart and your mind.
2. Ask God to Reveal the Spiritual World Behind the Physical
When I did this, my eyes were opened.
I was amazed at how often I clearly saw Satan working in even the smallest of ways. And yet, those small victories on Satan’s behalf grew to ensnare me in a foothold.
To truly live in the victory of Christ, we have to stand against Satan in the small things.
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When we start to do this, we close the door to the schemes against our hearts.
We shut down the opportunity for Satan to weasel his way in.
We must remove the veil that Satan hides behind.
When the lies are exposed, they lose their power.
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit
We have been given a gift. A gift that Christ called greater than His very own presence.
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” -John 16:7
We have the strength to stand in victory and the power to cast away demons. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s presence, living and working inside you.
For so long, I lived as if the Holy Spirit inside me was nothing more than an idea.
But in recent months, I have been actively and persistently praying for the Holy Spirit to work in me. And He has.
The Holy Spirit will open your eyes and convict you of the lies you’ve believed and the ways in which you can live in the truth.
Ask the Holy Spirit today, and everyday, to work in you in this way.
So what is it for you?
What has kept you from living in the abundant freedom Christ offers? What is keeping you from lasting joy and all-consuming peace?
Don’t let Satan think he can win this one.
Let’s strap on the belt of truth and take a stand against Satan’s deception.
View all the Standing Against Satan posts in one place here: Standing Against Satan Series
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This is an excellent blog post because of the truths it contains. I especially love #2 because Elisha did the same when he asked God to open the eyes of his servant and he saw all the chariots of fire from heaven surrounding them and thus the servant realized he had no need to fear the Syrian army. Thank you for sharing.
Taking our thoughts captive and replacing Satan’s lies with the truth of God’s word is a lifelong battle. Great article, and looking forward to more in this series.
Thanks, Barbara! And I look forward to having you back 🙂
Big lie! God didn’t want you to have that. Thanks for the reminders.
Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca!
Thank you, Nicole! Such important truth here. I can see myself standing in from of the Tree of Good and Evil and like Eve taking a bite out of that fruit. Trusting God and seeking His truth are essential for me each day. Looking forward to sharing this one! God bless you bunches!
It really is a daily encounter with God, exposing the lies and seeking His truth! It’s great to hear from you, Deb! Thanks for stopping by, and for sharing! 🙂
This is so true and so great. He really is the king of lies and they are disguised well so we believe them too easily. Thank you!
Great word, disguised! Satan does do so much to disguise his schemes. Thanks for stopping by, Curry!
This is a constant struggle for me as well! I find the more I do the things you listed, the easier it gets to recognizing the lie I’ve believed. It isn’t always easy to move out of the lie, but I think that will start to come easier eventually as well.
It can be so hard when we start, but as we bring the lies into the light, we gain strength and confidence! Glad you are taking steps to stand, Kira!
I love Paul’s emphasis on the word “stand” in Ephesians 6 — He uses it twice in one verse, I believe: “Stand therefore, . . . and having done all to stand . .” My word for 2017 is Standing and I found it in Romans 5 where Paul talks about how amazing it is to find ourselves “standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”
Yes, I love the emphasis in Ephesians 6! And that sounds like a great word for the year, Michele! Great to hear from you! 🙂
Love your passion and writing! Sharing!
Thanks, Carmen!
Nicole, I love how you point out that when the lies are exposed, they lose their power. And praying for God to reveal to us what we are missing or can’t see at the time is so important. Great post!
Definitely, Lois! When our pain is brought into the light, Satan has to flee! What power in that! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Nicole, this is a wonderful post. I’ve been praying lately that I would be totally aware of the Holy Spirit. I’ve also been doing some reading and study to fully understand. You’re right we have to call on the Holy Spirit, invite him in and let Him do what’s necessary. Great encouragement!
Thanks, Jen! I’m glad to hear your reading and studying to take a stand! 🙂
Love this! especially point number two. so good. Thank you for breaking through the lies and not allowing satan to keep you from writing posts like this!
Thanks, Finn! Satan is at work, but the Lord is stronger! Amen to that!
Great insight, Nicole. Thank you! ((hug))
Thanks, Brenda!
This was fantastic. It almost ALWAYS begins with something we would consider “small”. I’m thankful to have been learning more about identifying what’s going on in the spiritual realm, becoming more aware of when I’m letting myself be deceived. Looking forward to reading what you write next!
Thanks, Ivy. It really is an awareness that we have to learn! So glad you are taking a stand!
Nicole, This is powerful. It’s so important to remember that the enemy is deceptively deceiving and loves to take part in the little things that don’t seem to matter much. Thank you for sharing this important insight with us today!
Thanks, Leslie!
Nicole, so much truth here. I too often fall into the comparison trap. Praying for the Holy Spirit’s help has transformed my life as well. Looking forward to reading more in this excellent series.
Thanks, Sarah! I am so grateful to have the hope of the Holy Spirit 🙂
I absolutely adore this post! Such ana amzing reminder in our daily lives. Beautifully written peice and a must read!
Nicole! I LOVED this!!! Wow what truth you have written here. And YES- when we expose Satan’s lies they lose their power! I love deep nuggets of truth like this! Thank you for linking up at Salt & Light!