For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8 (NLT)
What you believe about yourself causes you to feel a certain way. These beliefs create emotions which influence your actions, and in turn, your actions reinforce what you believe—regardless of whether or not that belief is based on truth!
For example, many of us were raised in legalistic religion that taught us we are good-for-nothing, filthy sinners that God can barely stand to look at. That kind of teaching will cause you to have a very low opinion of yourself, which influences the goals you aim for and how you allow others to treat you. Then, when people treat you poorly or you encounter failure, it reinforces your faulty beliefs. As a result, many people struggle with the persistent feeling that they’re never enough. To deal with this lie in my own life, I learned to speak God’s truths out loud, directly to my heart, to confront any misbeliefs.
I read Scriptures in first person and meditate on them daily, confessing them passionately. Confessing with passion evokes emotion, which is crucial to driving it deeper into the soil of our heart. Remember, emotions influence actions that reinforce our beliefs!
Here are a few examples of how I feed my heart God’s truths: 2 Corinthians 13:8–9: Father, I choose truth. I choose to speak Your truth, and the truth is that when I am weak, You are strong in me. I am complete in Christ!
Colossians 1:9–10: Father, thank You for filling me with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Thank You for enabling me to walk in Your ways and be fruitful in every good work!
The way to shut down the enemy’s lies is to speak God’s Word and believe the truth!