1 Corinthians 6.19-20
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Our relationship with God is the foundation for everything in life. God is the source of our identity and purpose. He created us, and he defines us. We are not defined by our circumstances. We are not defined by our job. We are not defined by our possessions or position in society. We are defined by who we are in Christ.
It is essential that you understand who you are. And thus it is imperative that you protect yourself against identity theft.
Today’s commercial world certainly understands the dangers of identity theft. Due to the pervasiveness of credit cards, the internet, and electronic transmission of personal information, identity theft has become a big problem in today’s online society. Identity protection and recovery has become big business.
Likewise, knowing and protecting your identity in Christ is of singular importance. Mankind has been duped by the enemy who seeks to steal our identity. He lies to us about who we are; tries to deceive us about what is important; seeks to tempt us by appealing to our passions; wants to trick us into believing a lie about who God is and who we are in relationship to God.
There is a spiritual war going on for your identity. The enemy does not want you to become the person God created you to be. Satan wants to distort and destroy who God intended you to be. Therefore, you must be vigilant. Do not fall for the lies of the enemy. Do not let the enemy lie to you about who you are in Christ.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith …” (1 Peter 5.8-9)
Knowing your identity is critical because you will behave based on what you believe about who you are. Distorted belief about identity leads to distorted behavior. When we have a false belief about who we are, we behave and act in ways contrary to God’s design for us.
Many people in our world suffer from bad behavior driven by wrong beliefs about who they are. Their identity has been stolen and sadly, they don’t know it.
You belong to God. He created you and redeemed you. You are his child. You are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Do not let anyone or anything tell you otherwise.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1.3-6)
