Satan’s Lies And God’s Word

I’ve always been a big fan of good storytelling.

When I was growing up, one of my favorite pastimes was reading or listening to my dad tell stories. He would share fantastic tales from his life, stories I asked him to repeat over and over. Shannons tend to be very elaborate storytellers, with a lot of theatrical flair and embellishment.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also grown to love telling stories. I’ve learned that stories and narratives are woven throughout life and can bring deep meaning and value to both the listener and the storyteller. Human beings are drawn to stories, which is why God wrote a book containing the most epic and true narrative of all time!

What I’d like to discuss today are false narratives or deceptive ideas, and how, if we aren’t guarded by truth, they can play to our disordered desires, which are then normalized by a sinful society. 

Deceptive Ideas → that play to Disordered Desires → that are Normalized in a Sinful Society
(The Devil) → (The Flesh) → (The World)

What does Scripture say about Satan?

John 8:44 says,

“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

Satan’s ultimate goal is to destroy God’s people and His creation. His primary strategy is deception. We see this from the very beginning. In Genesis 3, Satan attacks Eve while she is isolated, and he uses a lie. He approaches her with a false idea: “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4). He isolates her and sows seeds of doubt about God’s wisdom, love, and provision toward her.

When we believe lies, they tragically become distorted truths in our minds and hearts. We begin to live as if these lies were true, which only leads to despair and ruin.

For example, if you believe that you are unlovable, whether that belief came from a broken relationship with a parent, a breakup, or even a demonic attack, and you let that lie take root in your mind, it will begin to shape your behavior. Because you don’t believe you are worthy of love, you may allow others to treat you disrespectfully or even abusively. Or you may treat others that way. Over time, if you continue to live in that lie, the falsehood starts to feel like the truth, and you alienate yourself from the very relationships you crave. Lies distort our souls and drive us into ruin.

Satan’s lies often appeal to our fallen flesh. Our disordered desires are then affirmed and normalized by a broken and fallen world.

So how do we battle Satan’s lies?

Let’s look to our ultimate and most perfect forerunner: Christ.

In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. After being baptized, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted and prayed for forty days and forty nights. Though His flesh was weak, perhaps even near death, He was spiritually at His strongest.

“‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’

Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’

Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”’

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” – Matthew 4:3–11

Defeat Satan’s Lies with the Truths of Scripture

Notice how Jesus defeats Satan’s lies with the truth of Scripture. We must do the same. We must be so rooted and grounded in God’s Word that we can recognize lies when they come and fight them before we allow them to take shape in our minds.

John 8:31–32 says,

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32

We have the ultimate tool in Scripture to defend the battleground of our minds and hearts. Let us be people so anchored in truth that we can recognize lies—by abiding in his Word.

Resources & References

• Live No Lies – John Mark Comer 
• Talking Back: A Monastic Handbook for Combatting Demons – Evagrius Of Pontus