Influence in Identity

“Who are you? “

I came to a place where I had to sit with this question in a previous season. But it took wrestling with that question back then, to lead me into walking confidently in the answer now. It was actually a season when I was secure in my relationship with God, so how I got to a place where I second guessed who I was, is beyond me. It took an assignment from my therapist for me to realize my unknowing of self. When did I forget?  What happened? I know what God said about me so why couldn’t I answer who I was?  I asked God all of these questions. I also gave Him permission to show me who I am and made room to see from His perspective. Sometimes we can perceive ourselves from our previous seasons. God changes us in such amazing yet subtle ways that if we are not careful, we can overlook it and as a result we neglect to live out who we are in our fullest potential. We can also miss the process of becoming. And the best part about the process is seeing God’s hand in our lives.

Throughout various events and circumstances, a number of things can taint our perceived identity. For me it has been disappointment, distraction and opposition that has distorted my perception in the past. Maybe for you it was something else like worldly standards, comparison or a letdown. Whatever the case, you too can invite God to share HIS perspective of you. During that time, He was literally waiting for me to come to Him with my questions regarding my identity and He was delighted to answer. I love that about God! He is thrilled to answer our questions. He longs to reveal Himself to us and as we get to know Him, we learn more about ourselves.

The truth is, we can’t be effective in the fullest capacity God intended us to if we don’t know who we are and Who He is.

For this reason, the enemy is after your identity, my identity our identity. He is not afraid of our relationship with God. Satan isn’t even afraid of the presence of God. He is however afraid of what happens IN the presence of God. There is nothing hidden in the presence of God and that’s where our true identity is found. You might ask, “why is satan after my identity if I am clearly a child of God? What’s the point?” That IS the point! If he can distort our identity in Christ, he can take our influence FOR Christ. 

We’ve seen Satan attempt to do this in the life of Job. 

Job 1:1-3 (MSG) describes Job as “honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion(v1). Verse 3 records him as “the most influential man in all the East! “

It’s no wonder why the enemy gets God’s permission to test Job in Verse 12. 

Hell is not phased by our relationship with God or how much scripture we know -especially if we’re not actually living it. Because we cannot point a dark world to Christ if we’re behaving like them. When we lived conformed to the world, we taint the Gospel and our godly influence instead of carrying out The Great Commission(Matthew 28:16-20). We may be the only examples of Jesus that some people see. How we see ourselves in Christ effects how we live and how we live is attached to our godly influence. This is the core of what Satan was after regarding Job. He thought that if he could destroy Job’s life, family & health; that he could destroy his influence (Job 1:12-20).

But why would God allow the enemy to test Job?..

When God allows opposition it isn’t to work against us but to test the foundation on which we stand. To reveal whether we truly stand on the truth of God. This isn’t because it needs to be revealed to God, but so that He can use to reveal it to us. God wants us to know and walk in our identity that we may operate in His power, authority and help build His Kingdom on earth. But without the true head and heart knowledge of who we are and Whose we are, this cannot be. 

Spoiler alert!!!: Even after all of the calamity Job encountered; God blessed Job with significantly more than he’d lost, God defended Job against his friends who spoke against his identity, Satan failed at his attempt to destroy Job’s influence and God was glorified! It was Satan’s warfare against Job, that led him to an even deeper knowing of God (and likely himself too). In the final chapter, Job declared, “I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes.”  (If you’ve never read the book of Job, I highly encourage it!)

Just as Job was ultimately victorious in the end; we will be too! No matter what’s happening around us, we can remember to stand firm against the plots of the enemy, fear of man, people pleasing & distractions that may try to taint us. We can be encouraged that there WILL be glory on the other side of opposition and uncertainty!! When faced with temptation to operate outside if our true character; let’s allow truth to ignite in us the endurance of Job and the confidence Paul when he said,

“.. but my supreme passion is to please God. For if all I attempt to do is please people, I would fail to be a true servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10b tpt)

Man I love me some Paul! He didn’t tolerate any foolery when it came to Christ -even unto death.

Sister, our most powerful weapon attached to our identity is the knowledge of truth. When we stand on truth, we can operate in the confidence of who He is, who we are and His promises towards us. Then, others will be encouraged to the Lord. It is a win, win and it certainly pleases God. So let’s start today resisting identities the world tried to give us and live out who God says we are in His Word. Then, we can be the greatest influencers of them all; influencers for Christ!

What areas of your identity have you allowed the enemy to distort ?

What are some truths that you intend on asking God to reveal?

How will you influence others to God this week?

You don’t have to have all of these questions figured out today however, for the rest of the week I want to encourage you to pray for God to reveal His truth regarding who you are to Him & who He is to you. As you gain new revelation about your identity, record what you’ve learned and stand on it! Be vigilant to how the enemy will try to distort your knowledge of truth and find scripture that speaks truth against every lie you’ve believed. You got this!!

Let’s pray:

Yahweh, thank You for creating me in Your perfect image. Sometimes, living in this world causes me to forget. Forgive us. But as You help me to not conform to the world, remind me of who I am in Your eyes. You called us to be different. God, help us be okay with being set apart so that You may be glorified. We destroy every word curse spoken against us and our identity. We choose to walk in Your truth that You are a Good, faithful, loving, protective Father. And we are “fearfully and wonderfully made, we’re forgiven, we are chosen, we have authority over the enemy, we are loved” - as found in Your Word. We agree with everything You’ve said regarding us and we reject every lie of the enemy! As we live in this dark world, let no darkness overcome us. Instead help us to be a light. Protect and deliver us from people-pleasing, compromise, conformity, insecurity, fear, distractions, false perspectives and everything that would keep us from being who You’ve created us to be! More than influencers for the world, let us be Christ ambassadors and fulfill Your Great Commission. As we do, may our reward be great in both Heaven and earth. We receive it and thank You in advance for it!

In Jesus’ name, amen.