There’s a story in the Book of Mormon that’s been on my mind lately. It’s about Lehonti, a Lamanite military leader, and Amalakiah, a Nephite dissenter with a dangerous ambition to rule the Lamanites. Amalakiah pretended to be loyal to Lehonti and eventually surrendered his army to him—on the condition that he be made second in command.
Once Amalakiah secured that position, he ordered one of his loyal servants to begin poisoning Lehonti “by degrees.” Not all at once. Just a little at a time. Eventually, Lehonti died, and Amalakiah took full control of the Lamanite army.
That phrase—“by degrees”—has stuck with me. It’s subtle. It’s slow. And it’s exactly how Satan works on us.
Satan Poisons Us
Satan isn’t trying to kill us physically. His goal is spiritual death. He wants us miserable, disconnected from God, and numb to our divine potential. One of the most effective ways he does this is by planting thoughts in our minds that sound like they’re our own.
Now, Satan can’t read our thoughts. But he’s been observing human behavior for over 7,000 years. He’s a master manipulator and a really good guesser. Based on what’s happening in our lives, he can insert ideas that feel familiar, personal, and believable. And if we’re not paying attention, we start to absorb those ideas as truth.
Just like Lehonti didn’t notice the poison until it was too late, we often don’t recognize Satan’s influence until we’re spiritually weakened. His methods are subtle, persistent, and tailored to our vulnerabilities.
Let’s break down a few of the ways he poisons us:
1. Negative Self-Talk Isn’t Just Psychology—It’s Spiritual Warfare
Psychologists call it “negative self-talk.” Those inner messages that say, “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never change,” “I’m a failure.” But spiritually, we know these aren’t just random thoughts. They’re part of Satan’s strategy to erode our divine identity. He whispers lies that sound like our own voice. And if we’re not careful, we start to believe them.
These aren’t just cognitive distortions. They’re spiritual toxins.
2. Would You Say That to a Friend?
Think about it. Would you ever tell your child, “You’re hopeless”? Would you look your best friend in the eye and say, “You’re worthless”? Of course not. We recoil at the thought. So why do we accept those same words when they’re aimed at ourselves?
Satan is clever. He disguises shame as self-awareness. He twists humility into self-loathing. But true humility acknowledges our weakness while still embracing our divine potential. Satan’s version is shame dressed up as honesty—and it’s a lie.
3. Torment, Temptation, and Turmoil
Satan doesn’t stop at self-perception. He stirs up torment—anxiety, fear, despair. He tempts us with distractions, addictions, and counterfeit pleasures. And he creates turmoil in our relationships, our homes, and our hearts.
These aren’t just random trials. They’re calculated attacks. And like Amalakiah’s poison, they often come “by degrees”—a little compromise here, a little resentment there—until we’re spiritually sick and don’t know why.
4. Discontent in Marriage: A Favorite Target
One of Satan’s favorite poisons is discontent in marriage. He whispers, “You deserve better,” “They’ll never change,” “You’re not happy.” These thoughts erode unity and trust. Just like Amalakiah sought to divide and conquer, Satan seeks to divide spouses so he can conquer families.
Just as Lehonti was poisoned “by degrees,” we too are vulnerable to the slow, subtle influences that pull us away from truth. Satan doesn’t need dramatic victories—he works patiently, planting thoughts, stirring discontent, and eroding our spiritual strength one whisper at a time.
But we are not helpless.
Through awareness and divine connection, we can recognize the poison and choose healing. God’s voice is steady, loving, and clear. When we tune our hearts to Him, we begin to see the lies for what they are—and reclaim the peace, purpose, and power that are ours by covenant.
Article by LCS Specialist, Heidi Davies-Case, CPC. You can contact Heidi at heididaviescoaching.com, heidi@heididaviescoaching.com, or call or text at 760-447-5126.
