Skip to main content

How to Stop Negative Self-Talk

Share This article

Who hasn’t experienced negative self-talk? Years ago, a knowledgeable guide delighted our group of moms and kids on a field trip to a local historic site. But I sensed her emptiness and wanted to talk to her about the Lord. My conversation didn’t go as I’d hoped.

Accusations pelted me as I drove away, “Why did you say that? You really botched an opportunity. You’re a poor excuse for a Christian.”

Have you ever left a conversation where you wanted to help someone know God better and been besieged by negative thoughts? Or maybe you attended a Bible study and left feeling like you shouldn’t have opened your mouth.

Have you ever wondered what’s up with that?

The Bible says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against … the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (NIV)

We have an enemy who doesn’t want people to know the truth about God. When we try to grow closer to God or tell others about Him, we invite spiritual attacks. This knowledge shouldn’t scare us but prepare us.

Paul told us how to win the battle in our minds.

"... we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)

Here are two filters to help you recognize and defeat damaging self-talk.

1. Know the Truth

Those trained to identify counterfeit money study real money. The better we know the truth the quicker we’ll discern lies. God’s Word is truth.

Notice the difference between what Satan said to Jesus and what the Father said about Jesus.

Satan: "If you are the Son of God, …” Matthew 4:3 (NLT)

The Father: "This is my dearly loved Son, ...” (NLT)

Do you know what the Father has said about you? Do you know the truth about how He sees you?

When we know the truth, we’ll recognize the lies.

2. Know the Shepherd’s Voice

It’s not enough to know what the Bible says. We must know the character of the One who wrote it.

Satan knows the Bible better than we do. He quoted Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus. But Jesus knew Scripture was never intended to tempt, harm, or condemn God’s children. God’s word corrects, comforts, instructs, and strengthens us.

Do you hear a harsh tone when you read the Bible? Are your thoughts condemning and accusing? That is not the voice of our gentle Shepherd.

The better we know our shepherd’s voice, the quicker we’ll take every thought captive.

The better we know Jesus, the quicker we discern and defeat our enemy.

We must learn to filter our thoughts. Ideas that argue against the truth or don’t line up with our Shepherd’s voice must be captured and made to submit to Him.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (NIV)

Copyright © May 2018, Debbie W. Wilson, used with permission.

Share This article

About The Author

Debbie W.
Wilson

Drawing from her walk with Christ, and decades as a Christian counselor, life coach, and Bible teacher, Debbie W. Wilson helps women give themselves a break so they can enjoy grace-filled lives. Her most recent book Little Faith, Big God explores the lives and lessons found in Hebrews 11. She is also the author of Give Yourself a Break and Little Women, Big God. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit biblical counseling, coaching, and Bible study ministry. She is an Advanced Writers and Speakers Association certified speaking and writing coach. Find free resources