From the earliest years of his life, John believed he was stupid, ugly, unlovable, and worthless. These weren’t just passing thoughts—they were deeply embedded lies that shaped his identity and behavior. As the youngest of four siblings in a family that had no regard for God, John’s emotional pain was compounded by isolation, rejection, and abuse. These lies became the lens through which he saw the world and himself.
When a child internalizes such messages, they don’t just affect self-esteem—they become spiritual strongholds. The heart, wounded and confused, begins to seek relief in whatever form it can find. For John, that meant turning to food, pornography, and performance-based achievements. Each attempt to soothe the pain only reinforced the lie: “I am not enough.”
This is the reality for many believers. We carry wounds from childhood, relationships, and life experiences that whisper lies into our hearts. These lies often go unchallenged, becoming the foundation of our identity. We may know Scripture intellectually, but the truth hasn’t reached our hearts.
Transformation begins when we confront these lies with God’s truth. Romans 7:22 says, “For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].” The inmost self—the heart—is where healing must happen. It’s not enough to modify behavior or memorize verses. We must allow God to reveal the lies we’ve believed and replace them with His truth.
John’s journey of healing began when he surrendered to Christ and allowed the Holy Spirit to illuminate the dark places in his heart. Through counseling, prayer, and forgiveness, he began to see himself through God’s eyes. The lies lost their power, and truth took root.
This post is a call to examine your own heart. What lies have shaped your identity? What false beliefs are driving your behaviors? God’s truth is not just information—it’s transformation. When we allow Him to speak into our wounds, we begin to experience the freedom and peace that only He can give.
Podcast Recommendations:
Unloading Burdens — Learn how to release emotional weight through truth and prayer.
The Missing Peace of the Gospel — Discover why behavior change isn’t enough without heart change