8 Ways The Devil Takes Control Of You

Many people would be quick to tell you how stressed, tired, fed up, and dissatisfied they feel with life, yet are still unable to grasp the concept of spiritual warfare.  A daily battle will rage in their minds, filling them with doubt, fear, anxiety, jealousy, and even unwarranted anger, yet still they are unable to process the idea of unseen forces at work. 

The Devil enters the mind through thoughts that one believes to be their own.  Many people believe that ALL their thinking is entirely their own.  For many years, I was that person.  I felt that everything I thought was born of my own mind and that I was hating on myself, that these flaws were all of my own making.  The greatest deceit of all. 

Once we understand this concept, we can begin to separate ourselves from the thoughts that are presented to us.  Here are some of the many ways Satan will make use of an idol mind. 

Fear 

Fear is a strong, often overwhelming emotion that arises when we sense danger, threat, or harm — whether real or imagined.

One of Satan’s tactics is to present us with a worst-case scenario of our future to arouse fear in us. He exploits our vulnerabilities and circumstances, and may even work through others to burden us with worry, instill hopelessness, and rob us of joy. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7 

Bondage (unhealthy fear) roots us in worry, doubt, and insecurity, removing our faith in God to paralyze us and steal our peace, whereas reverence (healthy fear) keeps us in honor of God's power and holiness, leading to wisdom, obedience, and trust. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - Proverbs 9:10 

Satan will use fear against us in many ways because he knows this will keep us from stepping into God's calling.  I don't recall fear ever having a hold on me until 2020, and since then, I have battled with it daily.  It is only with reverence for the Lord that I have been able to continue showing up each day in God's calling, knowing that when I leave the house each day, I shall return safely. 

Bible verses for when fear shows up:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God - Isaiah 41:10 
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears - Psalm 34:4 
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit brought about your adoption to sonship - Romans 8:15 
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go - Joshua 1:9 

Of all the tools the Devil uses to ensnare us, I feel that fear and laziness are the 2 constants that, for some people, have to be managed all day long. When fear grips (usually in quiet times) remind yourself of when God has carried you through before (I can think of many).  Courage will flourish when you take small steps into faith.  Always turn fear into a prompt for prayer.

A short prayer against fear:

“Lord, I renounce the spirit of fear and choose to trust in Your power, love, and sound mind. Remind me that You are always with me. Strengthen my faith so I walk in courage, not anxiety. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Laziness (Procrastination)

Procrastination is a reluctance or unwillingness to put in the effort required to do what is right, necessary, or beneficial. It’s more than just rest (which is healthy and God-given, according to Psalm 23:2 and Matthew 11:28) — laziness is avoiding responsibility, neglecting duties, or wasting time when action is required, leading to fruitfulness. 

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? … a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief - Proverbs 6:9–11 
Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks - Ecclesiastes 10:18 

Even when we wait in stillness for God's perfect timing, the focus is still in prayer and preparation, and seeking God’s direction before making a big decision on opportunities that reveal themselves.  A procrastinator will focus on comfort and ease out of apathy and self-indulgence to avoid commitment and responsibility.  This is a waste of potential and opportunity, which only results in wasted energy.  The enemy will keep you trapped in this cyclical thinking until you adopt an exit strategy using your God-given sound mind. 

Satan will revel in whispering, "I'll do it later" into your mind, and celebrate turning our rest into idleness.  He knows that laziness will rob us of our spirit and connection, isolating us from the potential God intended for us.  

Scripture to defeat idleness:

Do not become lazy, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised - Hebrews 6:12 
The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat - 2 Thessalonians 3:10 
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord - Colossians 3:23 
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise - Proverbs 6:6 

A short prayer to defeat laziness:

“Lord, forgive me for the times I have neglected my responsibilities and wasted the gifts You’ve given me. Strengthen me with diligence and discipline. Help me to work with joy, serve faithfully, and live each day for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Superstition 

At its core, superstition is rooted in fear; it arises when people try to explain or control events they don’t fully understand.  It's a belief or practice that comes from fear of the unknown. For example, thinking that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck, or that carrying a rabbit’s foot will bring good fortune, are common superstitions.

Time and energy spent on charms, signs, or rituals are time lost to Scripture, prayer, serving, or repenting — all the things that actually strengthen faith.

Satan uses superstition to distract, distort, and exploit by breeding fear and anxiety through false worship and idolatry by replacing truth and confusing discernment. 

Here are some Bible verses to read when confronted with superstition:

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free - John 8:32 
Do not fear, for I am with you - Isaiah 41:10 
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight - Proverbs 3:5–6 
The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life - Psalm 121:7–8

A short prayer to say when superstition shows up:

"Heavenly Father, I reject every lie and every fear that is not from You. I choose to trust in Your Word and not in signs or rituals. Strengthen me with Your Spirit, fill me with Your peace, and remind me that my life is safe in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen."

Avarice 

Avarice is an extreme, unhealthy desire for wealth or material possessions — interchangeably known as greed, but they both have slightly different shades of meaning.  Avarice is a specific kind of greed focused on money, power, and possessions, whereas greed is a broader term that can apply to many areas of life, including food, pleasure, and status.

In Christian teaching, avarice is considered one of the “seven deadly sins” because it turns the heart away from God and makes wealth itself an idol.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil - 1 Timothy 6:10 
Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace - 2 Timothy 2:22

Note: There is a fundamental difference between avarice and working towards healthy provision to meet the needs and care of self and family.  By contrast, the motivation of avarice is an insatiable craving for more wealth, power, and possessions far beyond what would be needed to live a healthy and productive life. 

Avarice is the hoarding of wealth, cheating to get ahead, or never feeling satisfied, no matter how much is gained, leading to restlessness, envy, exploitation, and a lack of peace.
From a Christian perspective, Satan uses avarice (greed) in many subtle and destructive ways to pull us away from God, others, and our own flourishing.  Falling into avarice redirects your worship to money and breeds spiritual blindness by isolating and hardening the heart.  These unfettered desires will fuel competitiveness, fear of loss, and anxiety (as there will never be enough) and lead to compromise and sin, such as lying, cheating, and exploitation. 

So, working hard and providing for your family honors God — but when desire for wealth overtakes trust in Him, it becomes avarice.

Ground yourself in these Bible verses:

No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money - Matthew 6:24 
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed - Luke 12:15 
It is more blessed to give than to receive - Acts 20:35 

A short prayer to resist avarice:

“Father, forgive me for allowing money or things to take first place in my heart. Renew my desires to love You above all. Give me contentment, generosity, and wisdom to steward what You’ve given. Break every chain of greed and help me to live with integrity and open hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.”

Lust 

Lust is an intense and uncontrolled craving, usually for sexual pleasure, that objectifies people to satisfy desire rather than seeing them as a whole person made in God’s image.
From a Christian perspective, lust isn’t just noticing beauty or feeling attraction — those are natural. Lust happens when desire goes unchecked, becomes self-centered, and leads the heart away from purity, love, and God’s design for relationships.

Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart - Matthew 5:28

In other words, lust begins inwardly, long before any outward act.  A healthy desire can be expressed rightly within God's design, like marriage, but lust twists that desire into obsession, selfishness, and sin.  The focus of lust centres on "what can I get?" as opposed to "what can I give?".  The nature of lust focuses on fantasy, desire, and physical attraction as opposed to care, sacrifice, commitment, and respect. 

A lustful sinner will not look at the total mind, body, and spirit of a person, but rather the value in what they can provide.  So instead of building trust, intimacy, security, and joy, it leads to emptiness, guilt, and broken trust. 

Bible verses to challenge lust:

Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace - 2 Timothy 2:22 
Flee from sexual immorality - 1 Corinthians 6:18 
Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh - Galatians 5:16 

A short prayer to overcome lust:

“Lord, I surrender my eyes, thoughts, and desires to You. Cleanse my heart and renew my mind. Give me the strength to flee temptation and to walk in purity. Teach me to see others as You do — with dignity and worth. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Revenge

Revenge is the act of seeking to inflict harm, hurt, or punishment on someone in return for a wrong they’ve done (or are perceived to have done).
It is usually rooted in anger, resentment, or a desire for justice — but unlike true justice, revenge is fueled by bitterness, and often escalates conflict instead of resolving it.  It's a form of self-driven payback as opposed to justice, which is God-driven fairness.

There is a stark difference between righteous anger and revenge.  Righteous anger is a natural response to evil, injustice, or wrongdoing, focusing more on the sin as opposed to the destruction of the person in order to seek truth, healing, and restoration.  Revenge is driven by personal emotion, not God's Spirit, and is fueled by bitterness, pride, and a need for control, leading to more sin, brokenness, and distance from God. 

Satan will use revenge against us by replaying the wrong that was done, over and over in our minds,  to harden us in bitterness and keep our wounds fresh, making it impossible to let go and begin the process of healing.  Being trapped this way can lead to cycles of never-ending retaliation that can end up destroying families, friendships, churches, and even nations. 

Focusing on payback drains emotional and spiritual energy that could otherwise be used for prayer, service, and living in peace.  Even small acts of revenge (such as gossiping or ignoring someone) will begin to erode trust and replace love with suspicion.  Although revenge can feel "right and just" in the moment, it is driven solely by anger and pride, not God's righteousness. 

Scripture to defeat revenge:

In your anger do not sin… and do not give the devil a foothold - Ephesians 4:26–27
Forgive as the Lord forgave you - Colossians 3:13
Do not take revenge… it is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord - Romans 12:19
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you - Matthew 5:44

A short prayer avenge revenge:

“Lord, You see the hurt I’ve experienced, and You know my desire for justice. I release my anger and my right to pay back. Heal my heart, protect me from bitterness, and give me strength to forgive. I trust You to handle what I cannot. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Anger

Anger is a strong emotional response to something we perceive as wrong, unjust, threatening, or frustrating. It can range from mild irritation to intense rage.
From a Christian perspective, anger itself is not automatically sinful — it’s part of how God made us. Even God expresses righteous anger against sin and injustice (for example, Psalm 7:11). The danger comes when anger is uncontrolled, misdirected, or harbored too long, leading to sin.

Again, there is a distinct difference between righteous anger and sinful anger (wrath).  The cleansing of the temple in John 2:13-16 is a just response to evil, injustice, or sin. It motivates us to act in ways that honor God, whereas self-centered, uncontrolled, or vengeful anger will lead to further harm, giving Satan a foothold in your life, as explained in Ephesians 4:26-27.  

The key difference is that anger is an emotion that can be managed, redirected, or even used for good, whereas wrath is an anger left uncontrolled and hardened into destructive behaviours.  Once you allow Satan a foothold in your life, he will turn your anger into sin, fuelling division, clouding the judgment of an otherwise sound mind, and keeping wounds fresh.  An untamed outburst of anger can permanently ruin credibility at work, in ministry, or at home.  After an enraged outburst, Satan will proceed to trap us in guilt and shame by whispers of condemnation, making us feel like we'll never change, making it hard to break the cycle. 

Scripture to resist anger:

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools - Ecclesiastes 7:9
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1 
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry - James 1:19 
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander… - Colossians 3:8 

A short prayer for anger:

“Lord, I confess the times I’ve let anger control me. Guard my heart from wrath and bitterness. Grant me patience, wisdom, and a gentle spirit. Teach me to respond in love, even when I am wronged. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Vanity 

Vanity is excessive pride in or obsession with one’s appearance, achievements, or status — often paired with an empty pursuit of recognition or praise.

At its core, vanity is about seeking worth in how others see us rather than in who God says we are. It makes us preoccupied with surface-level things (looks, possessions, accomplishments) while neglecting deeper spiritual character.

Healthy self-care (or self-esteem) is respecting your body, talents, or work as gifts from God as opposed to vanity, which is elevating those things above God, chasing approval, or superiority over others.

Satan will use vanity against us to root us in insecurity, pride, or approval from others by fixating mainly on looks, recognition, or status.  This leads to boastfulness, envy, and emptiness. It's a self-centred, shallow worth that's dependent solely on the opinions of others, creating a distraction from God.

Vanity will shift focus from God to self, leading to destructive obsession, rivalry, and a shallow sense of worth, rooted in temporary things.  To overcome vanity, always ask, "Am I seeking approval from God or people?".  Remind yourself: My worth is in Christ, not in looks, likes, or labels. Celebrate others without comparison, and shift focus from self to love. 

Bible verses to defeat vanity:

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart - 1 Samuel 16:7 
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised - Proverbs 31:30 
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves - Philippians 2:3 
Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength… but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me - Jeremiah 9:23–24 

A short prayer to overcome vanity:

“Lord, guard my heart from pride and empty pursuits. Teach me to find my worth in You alone. Help me see myself and others through Your eyes, and use my gifts not for self-glory but for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

 

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