What is your Identity ? Who are you ?
These days we can see a number of people are having what we could call an identity Crisis.
Really ,all it means is they dont really know who they truly are. An identity crisis can cause battles with the flesh fighting with the the spirit.
Have you ever heard people use the term..."Oh your just going through a midlife crisis"?
For many people as we grow up in a world with wordly forms of success ,and desires, we feel the need to acheive a high standard of what we consider "success"means . But what does that really Mean?
In the world we are told to be succesful , means a recognisable status .It could mean,an education with a degree, a well paid Job with a title , a big house, a couple of cars , family and children , expensive schools for the children.....?
I think that is what the worldy measure of success is...... however,... not by Gods standard.
Its no wonder people get themselves into an identity crisis when we believe what the world tells us and they fail to achieve things of the world ,or life causes disapointments and trauma along the way, like divorce, legal battles, maybe having the degree you studied for, but you can only find work in the supermarket right ?
Lets find out what Gods Standard of your Identity is
and what your Identity in Christ really looks like...we will give the biblical verses to study along with the meaning .
Who you really are as God says in His word !
God Knew you before we were even in your mothers womb. God is the one who brings life at the moment of conception .He knows every number of hairs on your head. He knows your every thought , your every word .
He has set you "apart"from the world as one of His own (see scripture Jeremiah 1:5 )
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
(Genesis 1:27) There are only 2 of a kind in every living thing !
For anyone that accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and believes in Him, He gives them the right to be called "children of God ". We belong to Him. We are His family. (see scripture John 1:12 )
1 John 3:1-2 says .......See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
We are chosen and predestined and "adopted" into the body of Christ and His family through Jesus Christ.
Its Gods WILL and his pleasure becuas he loves us (as written Ephesians 1:5)
Again we are chosen by God an called out of the darkness of the world and into His glorious light .....
see 1Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.)
According to Leviticus 19:18, God does not love the human race unconditionally, however
he does not turn a blind eye to our sin or draw everyone, willing or unwilling, into a saved state.
However, the Bible teaches that God does love the people of the world, and His benevolent love falls on everybody. The love of God is defined in terms of God's beneficence, which is not just what His attitude is towards the world but how He displays that goodness universally.
Therefore, there is no doubt or question that God loves everyone.
God tells us that anyone who has been baptised into Christ therefore you have clothed yourself with Christ. Neither the Jew or Gentile ( a non Jewish person) ,neither slave nor free,nor is there male or female , for you are all one in Jesus Christ. ( see Galations 3:27-28)
We are not only our body.... but our body is a temple to house the holy spirit .The Holy spirit is in You when you have accepted Jesus Christ and the moment you first believed. Your body is not your own it belongs to God . Jesus paid a huge price for YOU .
Therefore honor God with your body. ( read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.
He is the head over every power and authority.(Colossians 2:9-10)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ( colssians 3:1-3 )
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ( 1 Corinthians 12:27)
But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.( 1 Corinthians 6:17)
The fragile Mind....
and the "LIES" we believe about ourselves and Our Identity...
and the "LIES" we believe about ourselves and Our Identity...
We know that one of the biggest struggles in our Identity is what our thoughts tell us we are. Satan always targets your mind ,and sometimes it can become a living battlefield.
When hearing bad or negative thoughts about ourselves you can be sure its not of God. And if its not of God there is only one person that can be from...you guessed it ...satan.
We need to distinguish our true thoughts ( gods voice) from satans voice .
The more we get to know Jesus and spend time in the word -the more we will know his voice...
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:1-5
THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEARING SATANS VOICE AND GODS VOICE
When hearing bad or negative thoughts about ourselves you can be sure its not of God. And if its not of God there is only one person that can be from...you guessed it ...satan.
We need to distinguish our true thoughts ( gods voice) from satans voice .
The more we get to know Jesus and spend time in the word -the more we will know his voice...
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:1-5
THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEARING SATANS VOICE AND GODS VOICE
One is "in control"and the other is "out of control".
The fruit of the Spirit is a term found in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23.
It refers to 9 attributes of a Christian life inspired by the Holy Spirit living within them.
When your hearing form God or are walking in unison with God these attributes will be present.
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Bible's definition of love is fundamentally active, based not in what we feel but rather what we do. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
The Bible speaks of visible "fruits of the spirit" that are characteristics of a Christian, which are the attitudes, behaviors, and traits that someone who believes in Jesus Christ should show.
THese also come with experience when you undrestand your true identity in Christ.
Lets look at this Case study -
Carly was 17 and was overwhelmed with thoughts that she was not good enough. She didnt have much money and still lived with her parents. She didnt have the lastest fashion like a lot of her friends and she was overweight.
She began to feel depressed and believed she was fat and ugly. She told herself this on numerous occasions. She heard the voices in her head saying she will never be popular and no one wants to be with her as she is an embarrasment,however not one of her friends had said this .She withdrew from socialising and stopped seeing her friends.
The truth is she wasnt really overweight at all she wasnt stick thin like the models in the magazines. Her fiends never suggested she was fat or she was ugly not was this ever said to her.
She was actually quite pretty in her natural beauty.
Many people at times hear our our voice ,in our thoughts in our head ,of a negative nature but its simply not true.
This is where you need to undretand satan is a master manipulator at decieving you to Believe these lies about yourself that are simply NOT truth.
These thoughts can be so overwhelming that it can lead people to the brink of suicide - thats exactly what satan wants. He comes to steal , kill and destroy you.
The bible says in John 10:10--The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come ( Jesus ) that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Scriptures are words of truth and words of faith; Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23.
Yes, it is even possible for Satan to be crushed under your feet.
It refers to 9 attributes of a Christian life inspired by the Holy Spirit living within them.
When your hearing form God or are walking in unison with God these attributes will be present.
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Bible's definition of love is fundamentally active, based not in what we feel but rather what we do. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
The Bible speaks of visible "fruits of the spirit" that are characteristics of a Christian, which are the attitudes, behaviors, and traits that someone who believes in Jesus Christ should show.
THese also come with experience when you undrestand your true identity in Christ.
Lets look at this Case study -
Carly was 17 and was overwhelmed with thoughts that she was not good enough. She didnt have much money and still lived with her parents. She didnt have the lastest fashion like a lot of her friends and she was overweight.
She began to feel depressed and believed she was fat and ugly. She told herself this on numerous occasions. She heard the voices in her head saying she will never be popular and no one wants to be with her as she is an embarrasment,however not one of her friends had said this .She withdrew from socialising and stopped seeing her friends.
The truth is she wasnt really overweight at all she wasnt stick thin like the models in the magazines. Her fiends never suggested she was fat or she was ugly not was this ever said to her.
She was actually quite pretty in her natural beauty.
Many people at times hear our our voice ,in our thoughts in our head ,of a negative nature but its simply not true.
This is where you need to undretand satan is a master manipulator at decieving you to Believe these lies about yourself that are simply NOT truth.
These thoughts can be so overwhelming that it can lead people to the brink of suicide - thats exactly what satan wants. He comes to steal , kill and destroy you.
The bible says in John 10:10--The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come ( Jesus ) that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Scriptures are words of truth and words of faith; Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23.
Yes, it is even possible for Satan to be crushed under your feet.
What does God say about worldy things and our Identity?
Jesus tells us to be SET APART and come out of the world..
Allow your life to reflect how thankful you are for what Christ has done for you on the cross.
You are a NEW CREATION in Christ ever since you accepted Jesus .
We are not of this world and our Identity in Christ takes us away from all wordly things . God strips us back of all the pleasures and worldly joys we use to love so much , becuase we dont "identitfy "with those things any more.
We are called to be world changers NOT world chasers.
1 Peter 2:10-11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
Titus 2:11-13 After all, God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people. It trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we hope for the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 John 2:15-16 Don’t love this evil world or the things in it. If you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world.
Luke 16:11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
1 Peter 1:13-14 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed. As obedient children, do not be shaped by the desires that used to influence you when you were ignorant.
Proverbs 11:28 The person who trusts in his wealth will fall, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”
1 Timothy 6:9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
Proverbs 23:17 Do not envy sinners in your heart. Instead, continue to fear the Lord. There is indeed a future, and your hope will never be cut off.
And to finish off...
Know your Identity in Christ
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
Allow your life to reflect how thankful you are for what Christ has done for you on the cross.
You are a NEW CREATION in Christ ever since you accepted Jesus .
We are not of this world and our Identity in Christ takes us away from all wordly things . God strips us back of all the pleasures and worldly joys we use to love so much , becuase we dont "identitfy "with those things any more.
We are called to be world changers NOT world chasers.
1 Peter 2:10-11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
Titus 2:11-13 After all, God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people. It trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we hope for the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 John 2:15-16 Don’t love this evil world or the things in it. If you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world.
Luke 16:11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
1 Peter 1:13-14 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed. As obedient children, do not be shaped by the desires that used to influence you when you were ignorant.
Proverbs 11:28 The person who trusts in his wealth will fall, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”
1 Timothy 6:9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
Proverbs 23:17 Do not envy sinners in your heart. Instead, continue to fear the Lord. There is indeed a future, and your hope will never be cut off.
And to finish off...
Know your Identity in Christ
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
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