Truth Over Lies

The enemy of our souls is called the “father of lies.” Jesus said, “He 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” John 8:44 (NIV). If lying is his native tongue, it’s no surprise those lies slip so easily into our minds, often sounding like truth.

But God’s Word speaks a better word. When the enemy whispers, “You are worthless,” God declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV). When the enemy says, “You’ll never be enough,” God reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV).

I’ll never forget sitting in a high school hallway after being sent out for disrupting class. A classmate’s cruel words from weeks earlier echoed in my head: “You realize you’re never going to get married. Men don’t marry freaks, because freaks make freak babies.” The enemy twisted that memory into a sharper dagger: “You’ll never be loved. You’re not worthy of it.” It wasn’t true, but the weight of it pressed down hard. I sat there with a pocketknife in my hand, hiding the fresh marks on my wrist under my sleeve when the bell rang. No one noticed the tear stains on my face. The truth was, most of the time, no one looked close enough to really see me anyway.

Every woman I know carries a story like that. The words may differ, but the scheme is the same—to distort God’s truth and derail us from the freedom He’s called us to walk in.

For me, there came a point when I had to begin uncovering the enemy’s lies one by one and replacing them with God’s truth. It wasn’t quick work. There were a lot of lies, and it took time, diligence, and determination to recognize them, reject them, and speak God’s Word until His truth settled deep in my heart. Because here’s the reality: the enemy does not want us free. But freedom is exactly what Jesus offers. And if He could teach me to walk in it, He can do the same for you.

Lean in with me as I share what I learned about how to expose the lies, embrace God’s truth, and step into the freedom that only Christ gives.

Understanding the Nature of Lies

Lies don’t usually crash through the front door. They sneak in through the cracks.

Sometimes they come in the form of a memory—words spoken over us years ago that still sting.
Sometimes they disguise themselves as logic. “If God really loved me, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Sometimes they sound like humility. “I shouldn’t bother God with this small thing.”

The truth is, lies are subtle because subtlety makes them believable. If the enemy screamed, “God doesn’t exist!” most of us would shut him down. But when he whispers, “God doesn’t really care about you,” the thought can stick if we’re not careful.

Lies generally fall into categories:

Lies about worth – “You don’t matter.”
Lies about identity – “You’ll never change.”
Lies about circumstances – “Things will never get better.”
Lies about God’s character – “God isn’t really good.”
Lies about relationships – “You’re always going to be alone.”
Lies about calling – “You’re not equipped to do what God asks.”
Lies about seasons of life – “You’re too young…too old…too late.”

Knowing the category helps us shine the light of truth directly into the dark corner where the lie hides.

Recognizing When You’re Believing a Lie

It’s not always obvious when we’ve swallowed a lie. Sometimes it shows up in how we feel. Sometimes in the way we talk to ourselves.

A few red flags:

Hopelessness: If you feel like a situation is impossible, a lie is probably speaking. God is the God of hope.
Shame that clings: Conviction brings us back to God. Shame pushes us away.
Comparison that crushes: Healthy admiration inspires; unhealthy comparison condemns.
Fear that paralyzes: God warns us of danger, but He doesn’t paralyze us with dread.

When my oldest daughter was in middle school, she struggled with a bit with math. She has a learning difference in reading and writing, so when she started struggling with math, she started saying, “I’m just dumb, I’ll never get it.” The lie wasn’t about numbers; it was about her worth. As a mom, I had to gently help her replace the lie with truth: “You have the mind Christ gave you. You can grow. Struggle doesn’t define you.” Slowly, she began to see progress and recognize the lie for what it was.

The Power of God’s Truth

The enemy’s lies don’t have to define us. God’s truth doesn’t just comfort us; it transforms us. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” John 17:17 (ESV).

Think of lies like funhouse mirrors—they distort reality. You’re still you, but the reflection is broken or warped. When we read Scripture, we look in the real mirror, the clear glass that shows us who really are.

When Jesus faced Satan in the wilderness, He didn’t argue or explain Himself. He simply said, “It is written,” and quoted Scripture (see Matthew 4:1–11). His example shows us that Scripture is both our defense and offense in spiritual battle.

Memorizing verses, writing them out, praying them aloud—these practices aren’t religious chores. They’re weapons.

25 Lies Women Often Believe—and the Truth That Defeats Them

Here are some of the most common lies women wrestle with, along with the truth that silences them:

Lie: “You’re worthless.”
Truth: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)
Lie: “You’ll never be enough.”
Truth: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re too broken for God to use.”
Truth: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Psalm 34:18 (NLT)
Lie: “Your past defines you.”
Truth: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re unlovable.”
Truth: “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV)
Lie: “You should be afraid.”
Truth: “God has not given us a spirit of fear.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Lie: “No one sees what you’re going through.”
Truth: “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle.” Psalm 56:8 (ESV)
Lie: “You’ll always struggle with this.”
Truth: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re too much.”
Truth: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re not enough.”
Truth: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
Lie: “You’ll never change.”
Truth: “We…are being transformed into His image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Lie: “God has forgotten you.”
Truth: “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” Isaiah 49:16 (NKJV)
Lie: “You’re all alone.”
Truth: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Lie: “You’ll never measure up to her.”
Truth: “Let each one test his own work…not compare.” Galatians 6:4 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re too far gone.”
Truth: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NLT)
Lie: “You’re a failure as a mom.”
Truth: “His mercies…are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)
Lie: “You’ve missed your calling.”
Truth: “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re too young to make a difference.”
Truth: “Let no one despise you for your youth.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re too old; it’s too late.”
Truth: “They shall still bear fruit in old age.” Psalm 92:14 (NKJV)
Lie: “You’re not equipped.”
Truth: “God…equips you with everything good that you may do His will.” Hebrews 13:20–21 (ESV)
Lie: “You’re just a burden.”
Truth: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Lie: “You don’t belong.”
Truth: “You are no longer strangers…you are fellow citizens with the saints.” Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)
Lie: “God is punishing you.”
Truth: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (ESV)
Lie: “God doesn’t hear your prayers.”
Truth: “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)
Lie: “You’ll always be stuck here.”
Truth: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans for a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

The Truth in Action

A friend of mine once told me she believed the lie, “I’ll never be a good mom.” It wasn’t that she didn’t love her children; it was that her past mistakes loomed so large that she thought she was destined to fail. I asked if I could show her one of my Mom’s favorite verses, that had become one of my favorite verses. She said sure, so I pulled out my phone, opened my Bible app, and pulled up Lamentations 3 and read verses 22 and 23 “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Then I told her, “my Mom always says, I’m sure glad I got a fresh helping of mercy today and don’t have to rely on yesterday’s leftovers.”

That became her anchor. Each morning when guilt tried to choke her, she whispered, “His mercies are new today.” Slowly, she began to parent from a place of grace instead of shame. To see the change in her confidence level was a beautiful thing.

I also once wrestled with the lie, “God doesn’t see you or care.”

I remember praying one night as a new Christian before I went to bed, Lord, I don’t care how you use me. I’ll be a serving spoon on your table, or pot on the stove, just don’t put me on the shelf and forget me. The next morning, as I drove to clinicals (I was in nursing school at the time), I was listening to a preacher on the radio. As he spoke, he mentioned Isaiah 49:15 and 16, but didn’t actually read the text. When I arrived at the hospital, I had a few minutes before I had to be on the floor, so I pulled my Bible out of my bag, and searched for it.

‘“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:15-16 (NLT)

It was as if the Lord Himself reached right through my radio and said, “How could I ever forget you, Virginia? I’ve carved your name into my hand.” I knew then and there that God does seem me and that He does, in fact, care.

Choosing God’s Truth Daily

Lies don’t take days off, which means our defense can’t either. Choosing truth daily is like brushing your teeth—you don’t do it once and expect it to last a lifetime.

Here are practical rhythms you can use:

Morning declarations – Before your feet hit the floor, whisper Scripture. “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24 (NKJV). Starting with truth sets the tone.
Truth journaling – Write down the lie you heard that day, then answer it with Scripture. Over time, you’ll have a record of battles fought and victories won.
Carry pocket verses – I keep key verses in a note on my phone. You can also keep index cards with verses in your purse or car. When you have five spare minutes, pull one out.
Pray with Scripture – Turn God’s promises into prayers. If the lie says, “You’ll never change,” pray, “Lord, Your Word says You’re transforming me into Your image. Do it in me today.”
End with gratitude – At night, name three ways you saw God’s truth push back lies that day. Gratitude strengthens your memory of victory.

When Lies Are on Repeat

Sometimes a lie feels like it’s on a loop. You fight it, it fades, but a week later it’s back. Don’t let that discourage you. Lies repeat because they’re fragile, not because they’re strong.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Transformation is ongoing. Think of it like retraining your brain. You wouldn’t expect to build muscle by lifting a weight once. In the same way, replacing lies with truth takes repetition.

Practical tip: Build a “truth playlist.” Just as you’d make a music playlist for a road trip, make a list of Scriptures that directly counter the lies you hear most often. When the old track starts playing in your mind, hit play on God’s truth instead.

When I was younger, the enemy would frequently sling mud that said I was invisible and easily forgotten, so I had a “I am Seen truth playlist.” My truth playlist included the Isaiah verse I mentioned earlier, as well as Genesis 16:13 (NLT) ‘Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord , who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” and Matthew 6:4 (NKJV): “Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Each time the enemy pressed play on his old tricks, I pressed play on those verses until truth drowned out the lies. For what it’s worth, the enemy likes to to attack us when we’re already down – so when we’re exhausted, sick, vulnerable in some way. That’s when the lies would like to get stuck on loop. I remember at one time, I even printed out some verses and put them on the wall in my apartment and read them out loud every time I walked by, just so the enemey couldn’t play in my head. The Isaiah verse was one of the verses on my wall.

When Old Lies Resurface

Old lies also have a habit of resurfacing during transitions—new jobs, kids leaving home, health struggles, or ministry changes. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost ground. It means you’re being called to reaffirm truth in a new season.

Here’s how to respond:

Acknowledge it quickly – Don’t let it fester. Name the lie as soon as you recognize it.
Answer it with truth – Don’t just reject the lie; replace it.
Pray with others – Sometimes your faith feels tired. Let others carry the shield with you.
Mark the moment – Write down how God met you. Testimonies become weapons for future battles.

My son will soon start applying to colleges, and as I started looking at all that he would need to do to apply for college applications and scholarships, I found an old lie trying to resuface: “You haven’t prepared him well enough.” It is one that the enemy would toss at me frequently when my kids were little and we first started homeschooling, and it came in like a flood of mom-guilt. But God met me with truth in Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV): “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” That verse steadied me. My job as a homeschool Mom isn’t to be perfect; it’s to trust the One who holds my children in His hands.

Walking in True Identity

It’s not enough to just stop the lies; we actually need to start living from truth. True identity is the soil where freedom grows.

Here’s who you are in Christ:

You are a child of God – “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (ESV)
You are chosen and dearly loved – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts…” Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
You are forgiven and redeemed – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
You are more than a conqueror – “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
You are God’s workmanship – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Living in true identity looks like this:

Saying no to comparison because you know you’re already chosen.
Saying yes to opportunities even when you feel inadequate, because you know He equips you.
Saying enough to striving because you know you’re already loved.

Extra Encouragement for Different Seasons

Sometimes the encouragement we need is specific to the season we are in. Here is some season specific encouragement. Try it on. If it fits wear it. If it doesn’t, leave it for the next woman.

For Moms

The lie: “I’m failing my kids.”
The truth: “His mercies…are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)
Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. You’re not called to be perfect—you’re called to be present.

For Wives

The lie: “My marriage is hopeless.”
The truth: “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
Even if your spouse isn’t walking with God, your prayers matter. God specializes in redemption stories.

For Women in Ministry

The lie: “You’re not making a difference.”
The truth: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Seeds take time to grow. Trust the unseen work of God.

For Young Women

The lie: “You have to look a certain way to be loved.”
The truth: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)
Your worth isn’t in filters or followers. It’s in the God who formed you.

For Women Facing Aging

The lie: “Your best years are behind you.”
The truth: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:14 (NKJV)
In God’s kingdom, fruitfulness doesn’t expire.

Questions to Pray Over

Take time with these in prayer or journaling:

What lie have I believed most often, and how has it shaped me?
Which Scriptures speak directly to that lie?
What truth do I need to declare aloud daily?
Where do I need accountability to help me fight lies?
What victories has God already given me in this battle?
How has believing lies about God’s character affected my trust in Him?
What does walking in my true identity look like this week?
Where can I plant seeds of truth in someone else’s life?

I know how heavy it can feel when the same lies keep showing up in your heart and mind. That’s why I created these Truth Over Lies Journal Prompts—to give you a simple, practical way to slow down, name the lie, and replace it with God’s truth. Think of them as a gentle companion for your quiet time, helping you process with honesty and invite God’s Word into the very places the enemy tries to discourage you.

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You might have noticed that on many of my journal prompts and other products I list them as “Pay what you want?” and then just put a suggested price in the description. That’s because my hope is that if you really need them, you’ll download them and use them, and that you won’t let lack of budget stand in your way or that you won’t just tuck these pages away on your computer. Actually print them out, grab a pen, and let God meet you in the quiet. The real power comes when you put the lies on paper and then see His truth written right beside them. My prayer is that these pages become a tool you return to often, a record of God’s faithfulness as He keeps setting you free.

Books To Help You Grow

Here are some Christian books and resources that help gently guide hearts toward healing when lies have taken root.

Healing from Lies Seen as Truth by Vincent J. McCaskill – Speaks directly into the chords of deception that have been mistaken for truth over time and invites you into gentle freedom.
Enough: Silencing the Lies That Steal Your Confidence by Sharon Jaynes – Reminds you that you are deeply known and fully loved—even when voices (inside or out) whisper otherwise.
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That’s Beautiful Again by Lysa TerKeurst – A tender guide on stepping into peace and healing—even when wounds are deep and reminders linger.
The Truth about Lies and Lies about Truth by David Takle – Digs into how lies take hold and how renewing your mind with God’s truth sets us free.
The Healing Path: How the Hurts in Your Past Can Lead You to a More Abundant Life by Dan B. Allender – Explores how stories—and the lies woven into them—can be reshaped through God’s healing.
The Wounded Heart by Dan B. Allender – Focused on trauma and its lies, this book humbly walks with readers as they discover hope in Christ.
Healing for Damaged Emotions by David A. Seamands – Offers wisdom on how God tenderly heals hearts damaged by belief in lies.
Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve by Lewis B. Smedes – A wise, gospel-centered look at forgiveness—showing that the lies we’ve carried don’t have the last word.
Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) by Kate Bowler – Even though this comes from a broader, sometimes secular context, it beautifully deconstructs harmful beliefs many hold and brings her honesty before God as a balm for weary souls.

Many of these speak directly into the heart of lies that shape our self-worth, identity, and past wounds.

They come from authors who’ve walked through hard places—betrayal, rejection, trauma—and now write and teach with grace, truth, and hope.

Each one is rooted in Scripture, pointing us gently toward God’s unwavering truth.

Just Between Us

Replacing lies with truth takes practice. Some days you’ll feel strong. Other days you’ll feel weary. Both are part of the process.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) reminds us, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Don’t give up. Every time you speak God’s truth out loud, every time you choose faith over fear, you are standing in victory.

And you’re not fighting alone. The Holy Spirit empowers you. Community surrounds you. And the Word of God arms you.

You don’t have to live under the weight of lies. You are not what the enemy says. You are who God says you are. His Word is your shield, your anchor, and your freedom.

When lies come—and they will—answer with truth. Speak it, write it, live it. And remember: Jesus has already won the battle. You simply get to walk in His victory.

Prayer Prompt

Father, thank You that Your Word is truth. When the enemy whispers lies, help me to hear Your voice more clearly. Teach me to recognize deception quickly and to stand firmly on Your promises. When old lies resurface, remind me that You’ve already called me loved, chosen, and redeemed. Give me courage to walk daily in my true identity in Christ. In Jesus name, amen.