Identity according to the dictionary and psychologists:
Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person or group. One can regard the awareness and the categorizing of identity as positive or as destructive. A psychological identity relates to self-image, self-esteem, and individuality. Wikipedia
God’s definition of our identity:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Are you living as a victorious overcomer?
Unless we affirm daily that God has chosen us, then our arch-enemy, Satan, will bully us mentally and emotionally as often as he can. Never forget that Satan was Lucifer, an angel who fell because of pride and jealously against Jesus Christ. If he could convince angels in heaven to go against God, think about his ability to manipulate the unbeliever’s mind easily. It is the unbeliever who mistreats us and attempts to remind us of our past sins that God has cast into the Sea of forgetfulness. He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 AMP
Proof of our identity: Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” Genesis 1:26
The hierarchy of created beings: For You have made him a little lower than the angels. And you have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:5
Do you not remember? We are made in the image of God! King David tells us that we were crowned with glory and honor. The Apostle Peter reminds us that we are chosen by God as royalty to live holy and praise and worship our Heavenly Father. Why do we need to remember this vital information? Because God’s Son, Jesus Christ, paid a high price to redeem us from the darkness of sin. It is only through Jesus that we can live in the light because Jesus Christ is the light of the world, John 8:12.
Whether we care to admit it, human beings require constant validation. The issue is that we look for it in all the wrong people and places. Real validation is spiritual! We are who God says we are, and our identity is only found through the Trinity Godhead–God, the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. We tap into the Source by studying the Word of God and through prayer. Daily action keeps us connected to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
What about the concept of self-validation? If empowering ourselves is all that we required, then the human effort would not be necessary to maintain a relationship with God. Yes, we can and should encourage ourselves. But God created us with a spiritual umbilical cord. And when we fail to seek the nutrients required for spiritual growth, we lose our focus, and give in to our circumstances. It is then that our emotions overpower us, and Satan enters through the open door labeled “uncontrolled feelings.”
Studying the scriptures is for our benefit! The Holy Spirit cannot bring to our remembrance God’s promises of victory or never being alone if we do not possess knowledge of the Word of God. We may not acknowledge the fact that our minds are feeble…You see yourself (in the mirror), walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:24, but God continually warns us of our limitations.
If we forget what we look like, then we concede that we are in dire need of our spiritual team’s help. Prayer, diligent study of the Bible, and asking God for wisdom are the daily activities to keep us connected to the source of our life, health, and strength. Because of never-ending distractions, our minds require daily repetition to train and discipline ourselves to redirect our focus on Jesus.
Pray for the little things. While unpacking, I put away things in their designated places, but due to fatigue, the location for many of the items became a blur. I took a deep breath, stopped and asked the Holy Spirit to help me find the things that I needed. Although my prayers were answered, I realized that my mind and body needed rest. Human effort plus Divine Intervention=Victorious Outcomes!
There is no room for anxiety, depression, or worries when we stay connected to God. While many modern sermons focus on validation techniques and feel-good sermons, our relationship with God is up-close and personal.” I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. To maintain a thriving relationship with Christ requires constant effort. It is not enough to hear weekly sermons or glance at the Bible occasionally. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV.
Ephesians chapter 6 gives us the answers to fend off the satanic attacks against our identities. Yes, we belong to the Most-High God. Perseverance along with righteousness by faith can only come from a daily walk with God. Even through the struggles of life, we must never forget that we are royalty. Wear your crown with humility on bended knees. And God will give you His perfect peace, which transcends any circumstance or situation we will ever face during our lifetime.
Bible Study: Ephesians 6
God, thank you for loving us and creating us in your image. We realize that we need you to sustain our spiritual identities. Please create a clean heart and renew the right spirit within us. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 