How to Tell Yourself the Truth
“I just don’t feel like doing it.” And so I did absolutely nothing on day one. I stayed in bed all day. Day two – I felt the same. I was unproductive, discouraged and overwhelmed with anxiety. Days melted into weeks, weeks into months, before I knew it, six months was lost. I was stuck. I didn’t know how to get out of the pit.
Maybe you can relate. Ed Silvoso says a stronghold is “a mind-set impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable situations that we know are contrary to the will of God.”
I still had long-buried feelings of shame. I didn’t think I deserved to be forgiven. I felt unforgiven, unloved, and ashamed; I felt unworthy and condemned. These lies Satan fed me prevented me from believing God’s truth about myself.
I knew about the freedom and abundant life God offers us, but I thought it was for everyone else but me. I didn’t know that strongholds prevent us from seeing what is true because of how they make us feel.
We come into the relationship with our heavenly father with false beliefs and coping mechanisms. Neil Anderson says, “Strongholds are mental habit patterns of thought that are not consistent with God’s word.”Mine needed to be dealt with.
We find the answers to how to tell ourselves the truth in Ephesians 4:22-24,
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
So let’s break it down — how do we tell ourselves the truth? I am so glad you asked.
First, we must “put off the old self,” and this means to move away from guilt, shame and blame. Disown these things. They don’t belong in you. We can evict these toxic attitudes towards ourselves by declaring God’s word over our lives and our whole being. This happens by understanding and owning up to our identity in Christ.
What do I mean by “understanding our identity in Christ?” (see chart below), this perception is absolutely essential to living the victorious Christian life. No matter what comes our way, in Christ we are secure. Our mistakes should not define us. God doesn’t hold our sins, mistakes, or missteps against us. The real me is in my identity in Christ. Once we know what God says about us and believe it to be the truth, everything about how we view God and ourselves changes.
If you are a Christian, then the statements below are true of you.
I am accepted… John 1:12–I am God’s child.
John 15:15–As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1–I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17–I am united with the Lord, and I am one with him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20–I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27–I am a member of Christ’s body.
Ephesians 1:3-8–I have been chosen by God and adopted as his child.
Colossians 1:13-14–I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10–I am complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16–I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
I am secure… Romans 8:1-2–I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28–I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39–I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22–I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4–I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6–I am confident that God will complete the good work he started in me.
Philippians 3:20–I am a citizen of heaven. 2 Timothy 1:7–I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18–I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
I am significant… John 15:5–I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of his life.
John 15:16–I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16–I am God’s temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21–I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6–I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10–I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12–I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13–I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (www.ficm.org)
Secondly, we must be “made new in our mind.” How is this possible? It is entirely available to each of us when we choose to allow God’s word to transform our minds by reading it, praying it, saying it, memorizing it, listening to it and keeping it at hand.
Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Can you relate? What roles are you playing to cover up your true self? Are there situations in your past that you need to acknowledge and be freed from? Which of the statements of truth about your identity in Christ is your favorite?
Lastly, we must “put on the new self.” We discussed owning our identity in Christ, but the daily “putting on of our new self” happens most effectively when we choose to live in the truth by renewing our minds with the truth. Another term for this is “stronghold busting.” We must realize our belief system may not be inline with what God says is true in his word. As we allow God to bring to the surface lies we may have believed, we can examine each falsehood that is exposed, renounce the lie we have believed and announce the truth from God’s word. When we choose to do this for forty days, we can reach the goal of transforming our minds.
If we make the decision to start the process, God will help us take the next steps. With his help, you can be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Come against the lies you have believed about yourself. Start telling yourself the truth. Now.
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth. Help me to know the difference between the lies I’ve believed in my old self, help me to take off the old self and put on the new. I need your renewal, restoration and refreshing – thank you for the invitation to be transformed. I ask you to show me your will – your good, pleasing and perfect will. In Jesus’ name, amen.