Who Do You Think You Are?

We must know who we are, not who we were. The devil wants us to live within the confines of our past.  Therefore not knowing who you are is the only reason you face defeat.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV)

The only way the devil can kill or destroy you is by stealing your identity. You must see yourself as God does.

1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (NKJ)

Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (NKJ)

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn (declare wrong). This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says the LORD.” (Emphases mine)

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJ)

Romans 8:15-17a “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” (NKJ)

2 Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, 4 by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled (restored) us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (ESV) (emphases mine)

But I don’t feel like a conqueror or that I have escaped corruption or that old things have passed away!

1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NKJ)

When you became saved (born-again), your spirit (which was dead to God because of The Fall) became alive.

John 3:3-6 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (NKJ)

Your spirit was born again; not your soul nor your body. Your soul is comprised of your mind, will, and emotions. Therefore, your mind must be renewed.

Romans 12:2 “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJ)

The ONLY way to overcome our carnal nature is by the washing of the Word. (Eph 5:26) Otherwise, we become trapped in a vicious cycle of one defeat after another. According to God, we have already won the battle.

1 Peter 2:5-10a “And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, ‘I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.’ 7 Yes, you who trust Him recognize the honor God has given Him. But for those who reject Him, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 8 And,

‘He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they do not obey God’s Word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.” (ESV) 

This is who you are! This is the real you – how God sees you. Get into agreement with God. Stop allowing the devil to steal your identity. Don’t agree with him; agree with God!