Don’t Fall for Satan’s Gaslighting!
“The devil was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44
“Gaslighting” is a term that is commonly misused, especially in politics, to accuse someone of an outrageous or repeated lie. Real gaslighting is more than that. It is a devious kind of lying, over an extended period of time, when the liar manipulates another person into questioning his or her own perception of reality. For example, an abusive spouse might manage to convince his partner, over time, that his vile actions are actually her fault.
Jesus called the devil “A liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) He is the original gaslighter. He was successful in getting our first parents to question God’s goodness and authority, which led to the first sin and the curse of death. Satan’s tactics have been working for him ever since, and we are not immune to his schemes. When the devil and the world around us keep confronting us with an alternate reality, we can easily be tempted to think “What if they’re right after all? What makes me think that my view is the real truth? Perhaps I should be at least a little more flexible in my outlook on these matters.”
The key is to acknowledge both our own limitations and God’s steadfast faithfulness. Sinful pride says, “My opinion is the right one and everyone else is wrong.” Humble faith speaks differently. It says, “God, my dear Father, who gave His innocent Son to be my Savior, cannot lie or deceive me. What God says in His Word, the Bible, is certainly true, even if the whole world says otherwise!” The Book of James shows us the right way to deal with both our own pride and the great gaslighter: "‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7)
I walk in danger all the way. The thought shall never leave me
That Satan, who has marked his prey, is plotting to deceive me.
This foe with hidden snares, may seize me unawares
If e'er I fail to watch and pray. I walk in danger all the way.
The Lutheran Hymnal 413:1