Our Identity in Christ is Sealed
In my last article, I wrote about how we must encourage ourselves in the Lord and fight off negativity in order to push through regret and disappointment. Taking that a step further, I want to now focus on the ‘how’ part.
It’s easy to tell someone something when you’ve come out of it, but not as easy to slowly walk them through the process. I want every one of us, Team, to be empowered and to know that no matter what, we can have all the promises of God.
One of the main points I want to drive home is that you were built to win!
Nothing in you is wired to fail. You were created by a perfect God in His image to rule and reign in the earth. Genesis 1:28 tells us that God gave man dominion, so every single person on earth was ordained to walk in authority. Every hardship and setback we face is a result of sin that came into the world after Adam ate the “forbidden fruit”. But God!
2 Corinthians 5:21 says Jesus became sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Through Christ, we are made free from sin and death (Romans 8:2). Because of His sacrifice, there is nothing on this earth that can stop you – except you!
Fear of Freedom
When American slavery was first abolished, many of the slaves were afraid to leave the plantations. While some were threatened with physical harm, there were some who I believe were so used to bondage that freedom was terrifying!
This is a good illustration of how some Christians are today. We are set free, but we have no idea how to take advantage of it.
This is a horrible tragedy. God wants us to live in wholeness and in the fullness of His grace. Jesus Christ died for you to have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
So, how do we know if we are walking in authority or not? Those walking in liberty will display the fruit of the Spirit consistently: Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Know Who and Whose You Are
The key is to remember who you are! Whenever something crosses your mind that is contrary to your God-given identity, you have to understand that it’s the enemy. Knock him back down with the Word.
When I got serious about tithing, it seemed like financial issues were coming up more often. One week, I might have to get a new part for my car or other random expenses. I had to watch my confessions. I started confessing that I was the lender and not the borrower, the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:12-13).
After this, things started turning around. Even before they did, God’s peace sustained me.
One of the most frustrating and difficult things I had to learn as a Christian was to pray and speak life during trials. Sometimes you can do everything right, do everything you are asked to do – and things still fall apart.
The devil does not relent! It’s normal to get angry or to be upset, but we have to watch what we release from our mouths. Remember who you are in Christ and that you wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with powers, principalities, and the rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal – they are mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Honor Your Weapons
We may have our days when we don’t feel like reading or praying. At times, we may do these out of discipline and not necessarily desire – but that’s okay! As long as you are feeding yourself the Word and praying it over your life – you can’t lose!
The Word of God transforms us. The Bible says He sent His Word and His Word healed us (Psalm 107:20). Putting the Word to work in our lives is what it takes.
People often make things much harder than it has to be. We have to take responsibility for our development. Deliverance won’t just fall out of the sky. And, don’t forget that God is all-knowing. He understands everything we go through. So, talk to Him! Let him know you’re having trouble walking in authority. Tell Him you need more zeal and discipline to be consistent. He will help you.
It took me a long time to start canceling negative thoughts (it didn’t have to, but I lacked self-control and things easily pushed my buttons). I used to let things fester and I would speak death out of ignorance. But, one thing I thankfully did consistently was read the Word.
Even before I understood the growth and renewal that would result, I read consistently just because I knew I should. You can’t read one chapter or book in the Bible and think that everything will change right then and there. That is not how it works. It takes time. When you read the Word, it gets rooted in your heart and then when you confront a challenge, the Word comes back up in your Spirit. You then have the choice to act according to the flesh or the Spirit. If you never read, then the only reaction you have the capacity for is the flesh reaction. It’s a simple principle – read your Bible every day!
Some of you may be thinking, “Well, I read daily, I speak life, I don’t walk in sin, but I still have all hell breaking loose in my life”.
If that’s your case, consider researching spiritual warfare. You may be warring against demonic strongholds, whether self-imposed or generational, that you need God to break from your life. God showed me in a dream that I had a spirit of poverty on my life and I had to break it off with prayer and fasting. When you face demonic strongholds, your prayers must be specific – but you may not know what those strongholds are if you don’t seek the Lord first. Things are not always easy to identify. Seek God and He will reveal the root of the problem so that you can be free. I want to also admonish you that while you seek deliverance, the devil will fight back, so don’t be shocked or discouraged if things intensify before they get better.
So, What’s The Play Call?
- Remember who you are! You are the righteousness of God and nothing is impossible for you. You have dominion!
- Read your Bible every day, even when you don’t feel like it or when you don’t feel like you’re getting anything from it. Your Spirit is being fed.
- Watch what you release out of your mouth. No matter what’s happening around you, speak the Word of God over it and it will change – or you will change!
Be blessed.
