Many of us unconsciously believe lies about ourselves, others, and God. Being abused can mess with your mind. We begin believing the negative (untrue) things our abusers say about us. Then, without realizing it, we act on the lies we believe. An example of this is being told you are stupid. This might prevent you from seeking education (after all, you are too “stupid” to succeed), or a better job (who would want to hire someone as “stupid” as you). Another example is being told how guilty you are for your past mistakes. This might make you feel as if God could never forgive you, and you are unworthy. These beliefs can wreak havoc on your self-esteem, keep you stuck in bad relationships, and cause depression and anxiety.

What can we do to free ourselves of these negative beliefs about ourselves? We can begin replacing Satan’s lies with God’s truths.  Tweet This

In counseling, exchanging truth for the lies we believe is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The main idea is that our thoughts affect how we feel, and our feelings affect the way we act.

Below, I list many lies abuse survivors might believe about themselves, followed by truth from the Bible. Thank you to my friend Lauren Parliament for this list. Take a moment to look over the list of lies, and note any you feel are true about you. Then, look at the Bible verse that is actually true. You might then like to write out those truths/verses everyday for a week to help you begin to renew your mind and memorize what is true about your identity. You can do this with index cards or in a journal. Whenever you find yourself saying one of these lies to yourself, review the truth by writing it and/or saying it aloud. The idea is to begin rejecting the lies you believe about yourself, and begin agreeing with God about what is true about you.

Lie – I’m all alone.   Truth – Matthew 28:20

And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Lie – I must work hard so God will forgive me.   Truth – Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Lie – I am far from God.   Truth – Psalm 145:18

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

Lie – I am worthless.   Truth – Genesis 1:17

So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Lie – I’m just a sinner.   Truth – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Lie – I don’t belong anywhere.   Truth – Ephesians 1:4-5

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Lie – I’m guilty and dirty.   Truth – Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Lie – I’ll never be good enough.   Truth – Titus 3:5-7

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Lie – I just can’t get free from what I’ve done!   Truth – John 8:36

So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Lie – God did this to me. He must not love me.   Truth – Romans 5:6-8

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Lie – I’ve gone too far. Jesus could never forgive me for this.   Truth – Romans 8:33-34

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Lie – I don’t feel like God loves me right now.   Truth – Romans 8:35, 37-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lie – I should have it by now!   Truth – Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Lie – I’m weak and I can’t think right.   Truth – 2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NKJ

Lie – I am insignificant.   Truth – Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Lie – I must work really hard and live up to other’s expectations.   Truth – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Lie – I am ugly.  Truth – Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Lie – My life has no purpose.   Truth – John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Lie – There is no power to change in my life.   Truth – 1 Corinthians 3:16

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

Lie – I can’t do anything right.  Truth – Philippians 4:13

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

As you regularly begin to fill your mind with the truth about your identity, your negative thoughts will begin to change. Instead of striving, performing, and hiding, you will begin to experience freedom, peace and rest in Christ. Don’t add stress to your life by thinking you MUST remember these verses. Give yourself grace, and relax. This exercise is meant to release you, not add additional burdens to your life.

Question: Which of these lies have you believed?

I pray you will begin to feel God’s love and peace as you replace the lies you have been believing with God’s truth.

May He bless you all today,

Caroline