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Ephesians 6:10-13
Often we express our identity by what we “stand”. If we don’t know our identity, the easier a target we are for Satan.
If we know our Christian identity we have freedom to live it.
HOW SATAN STEALS OUR IDENTITY
1) He gets us caught up in the routine of life
Satan wants to take away any glory for God and make life routine and to see everything as ordinary.
2) He makes us think we are more or less than we are
Psalm 139:14, 15
Satan wants you to think that you are not that great. That God did not make you with a purpose.
1 Peter 2:9, 10
In time past, you didn’t have eternal value. But now you are a people of God.
In Satan’s attempt to steal our identity he wants to get us back to nothing.
3) He makes us think we have nothing to offer
Consider the story of Jonah.
Satan wants us to believe that we have nothing of value.
4) He makes you believe that you can create your own identity outside of God
OUR NEW IDENTITY
How does Christ change our identity?
A greater authority has given us value as Christians.
As part of our new identity, we have a new goal. We have a new kingdom alliegance.
We no longer chase after the desires of the flesh.
We also have a new Father.
Most of us have had great fathers, but not everyone has. We are given a new Father Who is always God.
Romans 8:15-17
We have a new future. We no longer need to fear death.
Hebrews 11:13-16
We start to become like Christ. Along the way we develop personal conviction.
When I was at Bible school years ago, I had a teacher that would play volleyball— in his dress clothes and shoes. At the time I thought that was strange.
Years later, this man had meetings at our church. I met him running— in his dress clothes on the road.
How sure are we of our own convictions to live them out when they look different to the people around us?
There are some things that are black and white.
The Spirit then works in us to develop personal convictions.
In our new identity we also want to share Christ.
I Peter 2:9
We begin to show/reflect the love of God to the people around us. We want other people to find the love of God.
Ecclesiastes 11:9, 10
Young people, this is the time of life to be growing in relationships and enjoy friends. But let evil go, live in the joy of the Lord.
Remember, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.