5 Lies Satan Tells Singles and How the Gospel Replaces Them
Lies are false statements that mislead one's thoughts and possibly their actions. They are words and actions filled with the intent to deceive. Lies come in many shapes and forms. For instance, denial is refusing to accept truths, fabrications, or stories made up with intentions to deceive, omit information, or minimize truth. Many of us have fallen victim to lies. Whether it's having told one or believing one, we've all had experiences with them that have led to negative consequences. Shame, guilt, mistrust, and broken relationships are just a few results of engaging in lies. So, my question is, why do we constantly believe them? Why do we constantly tell them to others and ourselves?
We often believe lies because they make us feel good or help create a false sense of a reality we want to avoid. We often tell lies to protect others and ourselves from truths we may not be ready to accept, to manipulate circumstances, or to avoid negative consequences. As believers in Christ, we have the honor and privilege of belonging to the Most High God, who is the way, the truth, and the life for all of us. His Word is true, His love for us is true, and His actions in our lives are true. So, as believers, why do we often fall prey to Satan's lies? Specifically, for the single believer, why do we fall for Satan's lies about singleness, and what lies do we primarily fall for? Let's take a look at six primary lies Satan tells singles, why we often fall for them, and how the gospel replaces them.
Lie One: Your singleness is insignificant.
Lie One: Your singleness is insignificant.
Many singles believe that their singleness is insignificant. They believe that being single does not have a purpose. This happens more often than not simply because many singles don't know why they are called to be single in Christ. Many believe what the world and Satan have taught them about their single status and have buried this in their hearts. However, singles must learn that they are single for a purpose and that singleness is a gift. And we all know that gifts are important because they allow us to build relationships, equip others for kingdom service, build the church and glorify God.
The Truth:
1 Corinthians 7:7 reminds us that being single is a gift that calls singles to devote themselves to the ministry work where God has placed them. And, when God positions you to do ministry work, He knows you can do it and sees the value in you and your singleness. Singleness is significant. Singleness is purposeful. Singleness is a gift from God.
Lie Two: You are lonely.
Lie Two: You are lonely.
This is by far one of the most consistent lies Satan tells singles. Many singles believe they are lonely simply because they aren't married. This couldn't be far from the truth. Loneliness isn't exclusively designed for singles. Loneliness denotes isolation, or solitutde. It is both a conscious and unconscious choice due to many factors. It is often believed to be a state of disconnection, feelings of being misunderstood, or a sense of emptiness. While God acknowledges feelings of loneliness, He reassures singles that He is an ever-present God and will fill lonely hearts with what they need.
The Truth:
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us not to fear, because God is always with us. He is there to help us, strengthen us, and hold us up in our times of loneliness. Loneliness brings about a sense of fear and anxiety, and that is not how God wants singles to live. Singles, you are not alone. God is with you, He knows your needs when you are feeling alone, and He will supply them.
Lie Three: God doesn't love you.
Lie Three: God doesn't love you.
Singles often believe this lie because, again, they aren't married. Satan desires to lead singles to believe that God's love is limited, but what believers need to understand is that God's love is infinite.
The Truth:
Ephesians 3:17-19 reminds us that God's love for us is complete, regardless of our experiences or relationship statuses. It tells us that God's love for us is deep. It covers us in ways we can't understand. Singles, God loves you in every single season of your life. Your physical relationship status does not matter to Him, but your relationship status with Him does. God loves you no matter what the enemy tries to tell you.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/ Oliver Rossi
Lie Four: It's okay to settle for love.
Lie Four: It's okay to settle for love.
Settling for love or companionship rather than living in your single calling, waiting for the love He has for you if it's in His will, or living completely in God's love is not how God desires singles to live. Many singles believe this lie because of other lies they've been told regarding singleness.
The Truth:
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God knows His plans for us. Those plans include hope and prosperity for the future. Because of these plans, we don't have to settle for anything less than what God has for us. Besides, God's love for us is all that we need, so there's no need to believe that we don't deserve the best of love because we already have it.
Lie Five: You're single because good mates don't exist.
Lie Five: You're single because good mates don't exist.
Singles fall into this one quite a bit. This lie is believed because of failed relationships, singles' experiences, and listening to stories of other singles who've experienced the same.
The Truth:
To start, single believers have a calling on their life from God, and that's why they're single, not because good men and women don't exist. Genesis 1:27 and 31 reminds us that God created man and woman in His image, and everything God makes is good. Men and women are created in the likeness of God, meaning we inhabit His characteristics, His love, and His power which makes us good. Singles, just because you've experienced a few heartbreaks doesn't mean that the person or people you engaged with aren't good people. It simply means that they were not the right person for you long-term. And that's okay.
Satan is the father of lies. His job is to kill, steal, and destroy the joy, love, and peace God gives us daily. However, as believers, we must be intentional with unlearning Satan's lies and living in God's truth. This starts by understanding how this works.
How to Prevent Satan's Lies from Taking Root in Your Heart
How to Prevent Satan's Lies from Taking Root in Your Heart
-Read, study, and meditate on God's Word every day of your life. Find Scriptures that affirm who you are in Christ, and allow those words to fill your mind. Set intentional time each day to be in God's Word so that you know who you are in Him.
-Pray and ask God to fill your heart with the truth of singleness. Prayer is communication with God about any and everything you could possibly think of. Set aside a specific time each day where you meet God in prayer and ask Him to fill your heart with His truth.
-Gain an understanding of why you're single based on the truth in God's Word. So many singles believe Satan's lies about singleness because they don't understand what it means to be single in Christ. Singles, take some time to learn why God has you single and discover what your purpose is during this time.
-Live intentionally in your singleness. This will prevent Satan's lies from sinking in. Be intentional with the way you see and live in the gift that is singleness. Speak and think positively about it, and move in it as God leads you.
-Learn of God's love for you as His child, not as His single child. Many times, singles define God's love and their purpose based on their relationship status rather than love for understanding His love for who they are. Take some time to know God's love for you as He created it, and see how your life and point of view on singleness changes.
There are so many lies about singles and singleness that often fill the hearts of unmarried believers. It's time to unlearn those lies by guarding our hearts, minds, and spirits with the truth and living in that truth. People often believe lies because sometimes they're easier to believe than the truth. However, believing in lies only hinders our growth and kee[s us from living as God intended. Singles, it is my hope and prayer that you take some time each day to unlearn Satan's lies about singleness and delve into the truth of it. God created singles and singleness with good intentions, and He expects us to live and move in it according to His will.
Originally published July 07, 2025.
