Don’t give that negative thought a home in your head! Warning lights should flash when you hear yourself say:  “I’m stupid.”  “I can’t do this.”   or “I’m a failure.”  God wants to replace those thoughts with better ones.
“I’m stupid”
Ha! I misspelled ‘stupid’ and ‘misspelled’ as I typed this! See? Our enemy uses any occasion to knock us down and remind us of our limitations. In a way, he is right. We are limited, we do dumb things, we fail, we sin. But in Christ, we are wise and righteous.

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish. . . things that are powerless, . . . things despised by the world,. . . things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. . . . God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

“I can’t do this.”
Is this task that feels impossible something God called me to? If so, he will give me his strength to accomplish it.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“I’m a failure.”
No, I failed at something but I don’t take on the identity of a failure. The thing I didn’t do well isn’t who I am. God will help me do better.

“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us . . .” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Our accusers can be others, or ourselves. But the source of all accusations is Satan.  In fact, that is his name!

“One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.” Job 1:6

“He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!” Isaiah 50:8-9

The passage below from Zechariah is one of my favorites. Just think that the Lord, himself, is defending us from our accuser, Satan! Jesus knows our weakness so he has taken away our filthy sins and given us his righteousness.

“Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”
Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” Zechariah 3:1-4

When Jesus walked the earth, the religious leaders were not only accusing a certain immoral woman, but ultimately Jesus. Jesus stands with us guilty ones against those who seek our destruction and are tools of Satan.

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.” John 8:4-7, 9

Conscience is different from negative self-talk. It helps us recognize the difference between right and wrong behavior. It helps us to stop doing wrong and gives us satisfaction when we’re doing the right things.

“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, . . . demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” Romans 2:14-15

But that condemning voice that crushes us isn’t from God, nor is it our helpful conscience. Any voice that reminds us of past sins that we have asked forgiveness for and turned from, is directly opposing God’s voice that calls us forgiven. Sinners, yes, but forgiven sinners. Because of Jesus, we are now clean God-seekers. Negative self-talk is destructive. It kills. It tries to convince us that we’re less than, hopeless, guilty, or useless. It lies. It lies because it comes from the father of lies, Satan.

“… your father, the devil . . . 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.” Jesus in John 8:44

So what do we do when we hear those nasty lies in our heads or from others, “I can’t. I’m stupid. I’m a failure.”?  God has given us armor to protect our heads and hearts because he knows we’re under attack. The accuser wants to destroy us. So we purposefully stand up, hold up, take up, and put on. We stand firm in Jesus. We hold up our shield and we take up the Spirit’s sword, God’s cutting words. We put on protective headgear which is the knowledge of our salvation.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
… Stand your ground. . . hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11, 16-17

Shield of faith- protects us from those incoming flaming arrows from the culture, others, or our own doubts, but sourced in Satan. We trust God’s provision for us and his intentions for our good future.

Helmet of salvation- let’s fill our thoughts with God’s deliverance, daily care, future reward, complete forgiveness, and the fathomless love of Jesus, remembering that we’re his beloved.

Sword of the Spirit- we respond not in cowering fear, but in the boldness of God’s victorious Spirit wielding the powerful Word of God for each situation. Repeat a promise of God from the Bible when accusing thoughts come, thereby cutting off their power.
Discouragement – Isaiah 41:10 Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
Hopelessness – Matthew 11:28. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Fear-  Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Criticism from others –  Psalm 18:3 I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.

This week cut off any accusatory, lying thoughts with the sharp sword of God’s true words.  Rest in his love and trust him to help you.