If there is one truth I want you to hold onto with both hands today, it is this: God’s love for you is real. It is constant, it is powerful, and it is right here, right now. No matter where you have been or how you are feeling, His love is the steady foundation upon which you can build your life.
However, we all know there is a force that wants to shake that foundation. Satan often tries to confuse us, whispering doubts into our hearts to cloud our view of Heaven. Why does he work so hard to make us question God? The scriptures give us a clear and sobering answer: it is because “he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27).
Why Satan Wants You to Doubt
Satan is doing his absolute best to make us doubt because he sees something in you that you might not even see in yourself yet. He sees your divine potential. He knows exactly what you are capable of doing for the Lord and for the people around you.
When the Lord wants to lead you toward happiness, Satan will try to throw an obstacle in your path. When the Savior lovingly invites you to repent and unburden your heart, Satan will be there to discourage you, telling you it’s too hard or too late.
But take heart! The very fact that you are facing opposition is evidence that you are on the right track. You are a threat to Satan’s work because you are a child of light. Remember the beautiful promise found in the Book of Mormon:
“And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know these things, see that ye do all things in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.” (Mosiah 4:27)
God is patient with your progress. Satan wants you to panic; God wants you to have peace.
Here are ten common lies Satan uses to cloud our vision, and the truths that can dispel them.
1. “You’ve Done So Much Wrong, You Are Hopeless”
This is perhaps his favorite weapon. He tries to convince you that your mistakes are greater than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That is a lie. There is no depth you can fall to where the light of Christ cannot reach. You are never hopeless because Christ is the God of new beginnings.
2. “God Doesn’t Listen to You”
When the heavens feel like brass and your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, Satan whispers that God isn’t listening. But the truth is, God hears every prayer. Sometimes the answer is “wait,” and sometimes it is “I have something better,” but He is always listening to the voice of His child.
3. “It’s a Shame If You Come Back After You Have Sinned”
Satan uses shame to keep us hiding in the shadows. He tells you that returning to the fold will be embarrassing. The Lord, however, does not look at you with shame when you return; He looks at you with rejoicing. Like the father of the Prodigal Son, He is watching for you and ready to run to greet you.
4. “You Are Not as Blessed as Others; Maybe the Lord Has Forgotten You”
Comparison is the thief of joy. Satan wants you to look at your neighbor’s blessings and feel forgotten. But God works on a personal timeline for each of us. He hasn’t forgotten you; He is crafting a unique path for your growth that looks different from anyone else’s.
5. “The Prompting You Received Is Ridiculous”
Have you ever felt a nudge to do good, only to talk yourself out of it seconds later? That is the adversary trying to quench the Spirit. If a thought invites you to do good, to love God, or to help others, it is of God. Trust those small whispers; they are not ridiculous, they are revelation.
6. “God Doesn’t Know What You Need”
Satan wants you to feel isolated, as if you have to figure out this life entirely on your own. But the Savior knows the very hairs on your head. He knows your needs before you even ask. Trust that He understands the longing of your heart better than anyone else.
7. “God Asks Too Much From You”
When a commandment feels heavy or a calling feels overwhelming, Satan tells you God is being unfair. The truth is, God asks us to do hard things because He knows they will refine us. And He never asks us to do it alone—He yokes Himself to us to help carry the load.
8. “You Have To Be Scared. Yes, It’s Scary.”
Fear is one of Satan’s primary tools. He wants you paralyzed by the “what ifs” of the future. But the most repeated command in scripture is “Fear not.” God does not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
9. “Your Success Is From You Alone”
This is a subtle lie of pride. If Satan can’t make you depressed, he will make you arrogant. He wants you to think you don’t need God. But we know that every good gift comes from above. Recognizing God’s hand in our success brings gratitude, which brings true joy.
10. “Life Ends In This Earth. This Earth Life Is What Matters Most.”
Satan wants you to be short-sighted—to focus only on worldly pleasure, status, or pain. He wants you to forget eternity. But this life is just a small moment. Your spirit is eternal, and the choices you make here have everlasting significance. You are built for eternity, not just for today.
How Do You Combat These Lies?
Recognizing the adversary’s deception is the first step, but how do we actively fight back when those whispers of doubt start to feel loud? We don’t have to fight these battles with our own strength alone. Here are four powerful ways to silence the noise and tune your heart back to truth.
1. Turn to the Scriptures
When your mind is filled with confusion, fill it with the word of God instead. The scriptures are not just a history book; they are a Urim and Thummim for your life—a way to see light and truth clearly. When you read the Book of Mormon or the Bible, you are literally inviting the Spirit of the Lord into your room. You will find that the lies of the adversary simply cannot survive in the atmosphere of truth that the scriptures create.
2. Follow the Invitation to Do Good
Satan wants you paralyzed by overthinking or discouraged by your imperfections. The best antidote is action. Mormon teaches us that “every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good… is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ” (Moroni 7:16). If you have a thought to call a friend, serve a neighbor, or simply smile at a stranger, do it! By acting on good promptings, you prove to yourself that God is with you, and you leave Satan behind in the dust of your good works.
3. Talk to the Lord in Prayer
Satan loves silence. He wants you to think you are too broken to pray or that God is too busy. Break that silence. Kneel down and pour your heart out—not just the “proper” words, but your honest feelings. Tell Him you are struggling. Tell Him you are doubting. Prayer is the lifeline that reconnects you to heaven. As you speak to your Father, the peace that surpasses understanding will begin to guard your heart and mind.
4. Believe in God’s Love
This is a conscious choice we must make every single day. Believing in God’s love isn’t just a warm feeling; it is a decision to trust His character over your current circumstances. Remind yourself that you are His child. When the lie comes that you are worthless, declare the truth that you are of infinite worth. Hold onto the knowledge that His love is the most powerful force in the universe, and it is directed right at you.
