Identity: Silence the Serpent
What would it look like if, in every moment, we were aware that we are hidden in Christ and that our identity is ultimately tied up in Him? This truth takes the pressure off of us and puts it where it belongs; on the shoulders of Jesus.
The origin of identity.
He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15). Life flows from the vine and we are the product of the life that the vine produces. There is an accusing voice using comparison, anxiety, and fear to paint false realities onto the canvas of our minds. That accusing voice is the voice of our adversary, the devil.
In Genesis 1:27, we see that God created Adam and Eve in His own likeness! In Genesis chapter 3, the devil deceived Eve, convincing her that she would be like God if she partook of the forbidden fruit. But, remember what we read in Chapter 1? Eve didn’t need to do anything, because she was already created to be like Him! The devil convinced Eve through a lie that she was not created in the image of God and that she needed to feed on the fruit of her own self-efforts. Once she and Adam ate the fruit, their eyes were opened, making them conscious of right and wrong; sin. They took on the identity of shame and tried to cover themselves up with fig leaves. They bought into the lie, “I am shameful and not worthy to be seen by God.”
A lie does not only exist within the content of what’s being said, but in the tone in which the content is conveyed. If we determine who we are based on anything other than what Christ has spoken, when things go wrong, we begin to take on a “false identity”. If we determine who we are based on anything other than what Christ has spoken, when life begins to get challenging, we will begin to take on a “false identity”.
What is a false identity?
A false identity is when you’re operating out of an earthly definition rather than a heavenly one. This happens when we take on lies as truth and live a life outside of our authentic God-given design. We live in a framework that’s been built by our own limiting beliefs. When you live out of a false identity, you actually become the lie you believe about yourself. For example: if you believe that you are a failure chances are, you will continually fail. If you believe that you’re not worth the time of the people around you and that everyone always leaves, then you will project the lie “I am not worth your time.” Other people will pick up on the atmosphere that you are projecting and they will believe the lies that you already believe about yourself because of this unhealthy cycle in your life.
But, there is hope! The Lord knows exactly who you are and He wants to speak to you about your identity. God already made a way for our redemption through His Son, Jesus. You CAN change the way you think about yourself.
A plan of redemption.
Christ Himself was confronted in the wilderness with a statement. “If you are the Son of God…”
That statement was from the voice of the accuser.
In Luke chapter 4, we see the example that Jesus set for us when our true Heavenly identity is questioned:
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”
Luke 4:1-13 (NIV)
The devil was trying to get Jesus to question who He already was and he wants to do the same to you. Comparison and fear will try to convince you that you have to perform in order to become. But, how can we perform to become something we already are? When we take hold of the enemy’s lies and see them for what they truly are, we can silence them once and for all.
We can do this by renewing our minds with Scripture and recalling the Word of the Lord that has been spoken over our lives. As we read the Word, we discover the character and nature of God. When we know His heart, we can easily identify when it’s His voice and when it’s not.
We are His children and His thoughts toward us are good and not evil! Jeremiah 29:11 says,
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Here are some scriptures that will help you on your journey toward good stewardship of your thoughts.
“Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.“
1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. “
Romans 12:2 (NIV)“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
God made you and He called you, “good.” If you’re ready to discover the truth about your identity and silence the voice of the accusor, a Sozo could be helpful. Click here for more information.
