Your self-identity comes from a collection of beliefs that you hold about yourself.  You may have formed thoughts and patterns about who you are from your family, your life experiences, and activities you’ve participated in through the years.  As a social worker and parent, I’ve found layers of complexity within the journey of self-identity in others and myself.  However, there are two basic and fundamental truths that break through the complexity and offer freedom.

Psalm 139: 14

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Does your soul know that you were created in God’s image and fearfully and wonderfully made?

Anything in your soul that tries to convince you that you are less than, that God is holding out on you, or that you are not worthy is an attack from the enemy.  His main goal in life is to attack your identity and confuse you.

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
‘How clumsy can you be?’  Isaiah 45:9

Before Jesus began His ministry, God called Him to fast and pray for forty days in the wilderness.  During that time, He was tempted by the enemy.  How?  The enemy tried to attack Jesus’ identity–who He was.  The enemy knew if he could cause identity confusion and create confusion of God’s purpose for Him,  he could destroy Truth.  Jesus used scripture to overcome the lies.  Interestingly, so did satan.  The enemy knows scripture and twists the meaning so we can compromise and rationalize.  It was the same trick in the garden with Adam and Eve.  Eve compromised when she heard the words of the enemy rationalizing and compromising. Perhaps she thought “this one time wont hurt”.  “One time” can be a lifetime of hurt and pain. The enemy knows this.  Here we are thousands of years later falling for the same, obvious tricks.  Would God call you to deal with your identity before a ministry?  We’ve got to take hold of these truths and know our enemy so we will not give up or be overcome when the enemy attacks.

God calls us out of such trappings.  He begs us to run into Him were it is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe.

Today, practice the simplicity of knowing that any argument that attacks your inheritance from Jesus Christ is from the enemy.  Whoever or whatever builds you up, encourages you, and speaks life into your soul is from God–the Truth.

Don’t try to reason.  It’s a soul thing.  We are not to understand the mysteries in their entirety this side of heaven.  Like a trusting child headed to play embrace this truth:

The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

God desires for you to know who you are in Him, to walk victoriously, and even in the most challenging times embrace His love, truth, and joy.

Live out your life in the fullness of Jesus’ love.  Does your soul know this very well?

“I’m a child of God and I’m His business not yours.”  Joyce Meyer

I loved this quote from one of her messages!  You must cling to who Jesus says you are–not the opinions of man.