Many of us have experienced that not everything the devil whispers is false—especially when he’s accusing about the past.
I talk at length about my experience with this in my book, Silence Satan. One morning I awoke to a series of nagging accusations. The first started with, “Look what you’ve done!” This redirected my mind’s eye back to my every sin since potty training. But much more shaming than those regrets in the distance were the mistakes and secret sins from after I became a Christian.
What made the attack especially condemning was that these weren’t outright lies that I could dismiss, but they were reminders of the truth—of things that I was actually guilty of.
Evidence to Steal Your Hope
Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar. Perhaps you’re experiencing it even now, even years and decades after you became a Christian. Know that this is one of the most deceptive, yet effective strategies of the enemy, because he uses the truth of the past to convince you that he knows the future. As he did with me, he’ll follow his accusation with: “God can’t use you.” “You’re too far gone.” “You’ve messed up one too many times.”
The devil knows that the greatest hindrance to you actually being used by God is to get you to believe that God can’t use you. So he comes with evidence in order to steal your hope.
You Don’t Have to Put Up With It
Even the founder of Protestantism, Martin Luther, dealt with similar accusations. He was tormented so much, in fact, that he’d often beat himself up over it all. But finally, he stood up to the enemy’s accusations. Here’s how he recommends you deal with the devil:
“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: ‘I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!” – Martin Luther
Yes, Satan will likely return from time to time in attempts to remind you of things from your past. But as a Christian, you don’t have to put up with it. In fact, you can talk back to the devil and silence his reminders.
A great Scripture to quote during spiritual attack is Revelation 12:11: “But they have conquered [the accuser] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.”
Indeed, there’s nothing more powerful to silence Satan. When the devil reminds you of your past, simply remind him of his defeat, and declare, “Shut up, devil!” Download my free mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, for access to many more categorized Scriptures to use to shut down Satan’s attacks. {eoa}
Kyle Winkler equips people to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the No. 1 spiritual warfare app; and his recent book, Silence Satan, has helped thousands shut down the enemy’s attacks, threats, lies and accusations. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.
