Created in the Image of God: Replacing the Lies We Tell Ourselves

Some mornings, before the sun rises, I settle into my cozy chair with a warm mug of coffee and open my Bible. It’s quiet. Peaceful. But far too often, that peace slips away—not because of noise, but because of the cruel voice in my own mind. It whispers, “You’re not enough. You’re too much. You’ll never get it right.” In those moments, I lose sight of the truth: God created me in His image, designed me with purpose and dignity, and never defined me by shame or self-doubt.

And if I’m being honest, I’ve been very mean to myself. I say things inwardly that I would never speak to another human being. Harsh words, criticisms, and names I would never tolerate from someone else. Somehow, though, I’ve tolerated them from me.

I know where these lies come from. They echo from years ago—comments from childhood, offhand remarks and cruel jabs that embedded themselves into my heart. Over time, I began to believe them. They’ve played on a loop in my mind, whispering falsehoods with the kind of persistence that wears a soul down. Parts of my story are shared in Finding God’s Faithfulness Through Brokenness.

Learning to Replace the Lies

Recently, I’ve been fighting hard to change that inner dialogue. It started with going back to the truth. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Created in the image God. That truth is not small—it is foundational. Learn more in Discovering Who You Are in Christ. We weren’t made haphazardly. God didn’t throw us together on a whim. We were crafted with His character in mind, imprinted with eternal worth, and made to reflect His heart.

What It Means to Bear God’s Image

To be created in the image of God means we carry something divine within us—something that cannot be stolen or diminished by the words of others. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Even in our imperfections, even in our struggles, we still reflect the One who made us. And yet, we often choose to believe the words of people who didn’t see our worth over the truth spoken by the One who formed us.

Those inner criticisms? They don’t align with what God says. I’ve started asking myself, “Would the Lord ever speak to me this way?” The answer is always no.

Speaking Life Instead of Death

Proverbs 18:21 teaches that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” That includes the tongue that speaks inwardly. The way we talk to ourselves shapes our reality. It influences how we treat others, how we respond to God, and how we show up in our own lives.

The enemy of our souls would love to keep us stuck—believing lies about our worth and identity. Read more in When the Enemy Twists Scripture. But the Holy Spirit invites us to renewal. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Renewal begins with truth. If we are truly created in the image of God, then we owe it to ourselves—and to the God who made us—to speak to ourselves with love, truth, and grace.

What God Actually Says About You

God has not been silent about who we are:

• You are chosen (1 Peter 2:9).
• You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
• You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• You are forgiven and free (Romans 8:1).
• You are loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

These aren’t just biblical phrases to memorize. They are declarations of truth to anchor your soul when the lies feel loudest. When we remember that we’re created in the image of God, we begin to see that those harsh internal criticisms are not only false—they’re beneath our calling.

Taking Steps Toward Healing

Healing is a journey. It takes time, grace, and a willingness to confront the lies we’ve believed. It means letting the Holy Spirit untangle decades of wrong thinking and allowing God’s Word to do the deep work only it can. I shared more of my healing process in Even in the Valley: How to Trust God’s Presence in Every Season..

In my own life, I’ve started small. Sticky notes with Scriptures go up on my mirror as daily reminders. When I catch myself being critical, I pause and intentionally speak truth instead. Embracing the journey, I give myself permission to grow—because even in progress, I remain fully created in the image of God.

Living in the Truth

When we finally begin to see ourselves the way God does, everything changes. We live from a deep sense of worth instead of chasing after it. Grace flows as we choose to treat ourselves with compassion. Confidence rises—not from perfection, but from being grounded in truth.

Living as someone created in God’s image doesn’t mean we’ll always feel worthy. But it does mean that our worth is no longer up for debate.

Scriptures to Reflect On:

• Genesis 1:27
• Ephesians 2:10
• Romans 12:2
• Psalm 139:14
• 1 Peter 2:9
• Jeremiah 31:3
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Romans 8:1

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