Identity Conquers LustSample

Trauma → Replacing Lies with Truth

The fifth root of addiction that Paul’s instructions for living the new life apply to is trauma.

“... the truth is in Jesus ... put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor ...” (v.21, 25).

When a person understands how they use porn or other sexual sins to medicate their negative emotions, it can propel them toward freedom. They begin to identify and process their emotions instead of being triggered by them. Part of processing negative emotions involves understanding where they come from. For many, trauma is a major source of negative emotions in their life.

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. It is typically an event (big ‘T’ Trauma) but can also result from a dysfunctional environment (many small ‘t’ traumas). Research is clear that the people most likely to struggle with addictions are those who have had significant trauma in their life. Addiction is how they cope.

But it’s not the pain from the trauma itself that causes the biggest problems. The lies a person internalizes as a result of the trauma can have a much deeper and longer-lasting impact. Renowned psychotherapist and Harvard professor Elvin Semrad declared, “The greatest source of a person’s suffering is the lies they tell themselves.” This insightful observation is also a biblical truth related to spiritual warfare. Lies implanted by trauma can be another manifestation of how the enemy attacks. One of Satan’s key objectives is to establish strongholds in a person’s mind through lies.

The apostle Paul wrote:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

When lies are not taken captive to obey Christ, they can become strongholds. A stronghold is a deeply held false belief. Strongholds can shape a person’s perspective of how they see themselves, God, and life in general. As a result of trauma, abuse, or dysfunction, a person can begin to believe certain lies like:

• I’m a failure.
• I’m unlovable.
• This is my fault.
• There is something wrong with me.
• I deserve to be addicted.

For the child of God, these lies attack the very identity we possess in Christ. Believing these lies can lead to many negative emotions that one medicates with porn. Standing against these attacks is not only essential for believers in overcoming a sex or porn addiction but also in living out our identity in Christ. Whether it's the trauma of abuse or neglect, these lies that become strongholds in our lives must be replaced with the truth for freedom to take root.

It is the truth that will set you free. Though Paul does not mention trauma, his focus on truth is the pathway to freedom for those impacted by the lies from trauma. When Paul said, “... the truth is in Jesus ... put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor ...” (v.21, 25), he reminded us of the importance of replacing lies with truth. When the lies from trauma are replaced with truth, they lose their power.

Lies keep us stuck, but truth can set us free to live our new life in Christ. When a person starts to walk in the light and replaces lies with the truth, the effects of trauma can be overcome. Some trauma may require more intense focus and professional help.

To replace a lie, the lie must first be identified. And lies are much easier to spot when we know the truth. God’s truth cannot be unleashed in our lives to liberate us from lies and lead us into freedom if we are not regularly in God’s word. The truth is found in Jesus, and His word and the truth should be our community's focus. When a person saturates their life with God's truth, they can claim the promise of freedom that Jesus gives, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Reflection Questions:

• What lies do you repeat to yourself through negative self-talk?
• How can you take those lies captive and replace them with the truth?
• Are you growing in your knowledge of God’s truth in your life and community?

Even when we know His truth, it can sometimes be difficult to believe. One of the main reasons is the final and most extensive root of addiction, shame.