Man was created in the image of God. Because your identity is so closely linked to God’s identity, when you can’t see yourself clearly for who you are in Jesus Christ, you cannot see God clearly for Who He really is. Also, when you cannot see God clearly for Who He is, you cannot see yourself clearly for who you are in Jesus Christ.

Because satan opposes you and your growth as a Christian, his desire is to disarm you and separate you from Jesus Christ by enticing you into sin. He is definitely your adversary.

Adversary = a person or force that opposes or attacks; enemy; foe

Today we will examine identity lie #5 and what God provides for you to refute that lie

You cannot forgive

When you believe that lie about who you are, you are also believing this lie about Who God is

God is unable or unwilling to help you forgive

For you to refute that identity lie, your God, Jesus Christ, provides this tool in James 1: ⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Also, in 2 Corinthians 12:⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

We live in an imperfect world, a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. There is pain, disappointment, discouragement. People hurt us, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unaware. But to run your race well, you cannot be beset or weighed down with an unforgiving heart. Forgiveness is a two-way street. If you do not forgive you will be tied to that event, unable to move beyond it. Ask Jesus to help you forgive and move on and then trust Him to come through for you. He will not fail.

Remember His words from Hebrews 4:⁹ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

¹⁰ For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

¹¹ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Remember, all sin has consequences. The person who hurt you will suffer God’s consequences. God cares about you and what happened to you.

Romans 12:¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

So put God’s Word in your arsenal of God’s truths to counter the identity lies your enemy throws at you, by writing them on an index card; keeping them at your fingertips; reciting them aloud; committing them to memory; meditating on them. Trust Jesus Christ. He never fails and certainly will not fail you! He is our Immanuel, God with us.

These seven examples have been given and refuted with the Word of Jesus Christ. They are just examples. Perhaps there is another lie about your identity that satan uses to discourage and attempt to defeat you. I find no Bible reference indicating the enemy can read your thoughts but certainly he has all of history to observe the human condition and test his various lies. He knows your history. Although the enemy is not present everywhere he has emissaries who spy for him.

Is there a lie about your identity that you are believing?

Why do you believe it?

Did someone in authority or important to you, tell you that lie?

Are you willing to use God’s Word to refute that lie?

Remember God’s promise in Isaiah 55:⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Use His Word to refute your enemy’s lie!

Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti