Being ourselves seems so simple, but it’s pretty hard when we do not know what makes us….us. In the past, it was hard for me to be myself until I learned who I truly am in Christ. I know that it sounds strange, but we have to learn who God says we are so we can be the best versions of ourselves!
To be honest, the ONLY reason that I was able to really learn who I am is because of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether or not you know Him well, I want to share with you how He helped me and how He can help you understand your true identity and purpose too.
The Enemy’s Lies
I’m not quite sure when and how it happened, but at a young age, I began to believe that I was not smart or pretty. Family and friends tried to encourage me by telling me how intelligent I was or how cute I looked, but their words would immediately go in one ear and out the other.
Without realizing it, the lies that I was not pretty or smart consumed my identity. I began to work extremely hard in school to prove that I was intelligent. As far as not being pretty, I convinced myself that my appearance did not matter. If I stayed to myself, maybe people would not remind me that I was not pretty enough, so I became extremely shy.
What I did not know was that this cycle of believing lies began with Eve (the first woman ever created): “But the serpent said to the woman, you shall not surely die, For God knows that in the day you eat of {the tree of the knowledge of good and evil} your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity (Genesis 3:5 NIV).”
This was the first lie ever told. Satan made a “suggestion” to Eve and she began to believe the lie that she was not like God. This is just CRAZY because the Bible says, “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 NIV).”
Satan planted the lie that Eve was not like God when the truth was that SHE WAS ALREADY JUST LIKE HIM… and that is the truth. Satan’s goal is to do the same with us.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10 NIV). The enemy exists to steal our joy, kill our dreams, and destroy our God-given identity.
Finding our Identity in Jesus
Thankfully, Jesus Christ exists to give us the best life possible – despite the fact that the enemy wants to make us feel and believe that we are inferior. Instead of letting lies take control of your life like I did, you can confront those lies with truth.
Take a look at John 8:31-32 NIV: … Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Do you have lies that you have believed about yourself that are weighing you down? List the top 2 or 3 lies that you currently believe, and then list some truths. Then ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth to counteract the lies. This simple practice can make such a difference. Replacing the lies the enemy feeds us, with truth that God promises us can heal the wounds created by the lies we have believed.
Mercy Multiplied exists to provide opportunities for all to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power. We offer multiple programs and resources online and onsite designed to equip people to live free and stay free in Christ. For more information about the services we offer, click here.
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