The topic concerning our identity is a complex and multi-layered one. Satan has successfully reversed the order of all things from the manner in which God intended it to function. A counterfeit reality exists since the fall of Adam in the garden, which enslaves man, even Christians. Recalling the construct of man, consisting of three parts, namely:- sarx (body); psuche (soul); and pneuma (spirit), in which the intention was for the body to slavishly follow the soul which is submissively instructed by its’ spirit, which is connected to and led by the Spirit of God. In view of this understanding, first spirit, followed by the soul, of which the body is the least.
This is not the order in which we perceive the matter of our identity. It goes without saying that the culture of this world, secular and not excluding Christians, measures itself by external standards. The ‘value’ of someone is typically measured by that one’s external appearance – physical identity. We’re able to sum up if someone is beautiful or not with a simple glance. And moreover, by that glance we also assume who they are by the description we’ve allocated to them. As the saying goes, “we judge the book by its cover”. That is because society has taught us it’s definition of what ‘beautiful’ is. And what is ‘beautiful’, is generally more acceptable.
We place more value on that which actually carries the least amount of value. Social media is bombarded with people working hard to keep fit and look good. And “so-called-influencers” grow in popularity and wealth by informing the masses on how to obtain that which is more socially acceptable and desirable. In view of this, the acceptance of ourselves is tied to being accepted by others.
And not to, by any means discredit staying healthy and keeping fit, or taking care of our bodies. These things ought to be encouraged. However, the issue arises when a culture establishes what’s acceptable through a false measurement of value. This often results in leaving those who do not fit the profile feeling less than desirable or accepted. There’s no shortage of studies exposing the (negative) effects these ever-changing beliefs have on the mental state of those living outside of the circle of relevance. There’s often an increase in low self-esteem, depression, and ultimately, suicide. The sadder truth is that even what’s considered relevant today often shifts tomorrow with whatever the “culture” deems “on trend or popular”(the standard of acceptability) for the current time.
It’s safe to assume that much value is added to the body, giving us a sense of esteem, relevance, and acceptance, all of which finds it origin in the realm of the soul (psuche). Compare that to the order which God originally established, the contrast between what is, and the eternal truth of the matter, is obvious.
The sarx (body) is in actual fact the lowest form of our being. Yet we add considerably more value to it. The enemy continues to deceive generation after generation from knowing their true identity. But this is nothing new. In actual fact, this has been his modus operandi since his appearance in the garden. Man’s separation from God automatically causes him/her to operate by an opposing order. That’s why the very first thing Adam and Eve did after eating the forbidden fruit was to clothe themselves. In other words, they provided for their bodies.
Satan has put strategies in place to keep you from ever knowing who you truly are. This is the typical language of present day culture, “you can be whatever and whoever you feel like being. Whatever you identify as, that is who and what you are”. This is the language of the confused. Seeds of Satan systematically placed in each generation to produce deception, confusion, division. This is no more than a greater level of perversion of the unfolding schemes of the enemy.
This is the same tactic used in deceiving Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” It was a direct attack on their identity. Through this approach the enemy continues to effectively rob generations through reversing the order and pattern of God. We are misled in adding value to that which carries NO value at all, at least not outside of God.
Genesis 3:7 (NIV)
“Then the eyes of both of them were opened…”
We know this was not referencing their physical eyes. Verse 6 states; “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye”. This verse makes reference to the physical eyes which allows us through sight, to perceive the natural world around us. Therefore, when verse 7 says “their eyes were both opened”, it’s clear that those eyes were not the same as that spoken of in verse 6.
Adam’s identity was directly attached to who he knew God was, and who he was in God. God was his Father, which made him God’s son. When these eyes were opened, they no longer saw themselves in relation to who they were in God. They now saw themselves in a state of separation from their true identity.
Adam and eve’s “eyes” were closed because their souls (psuche) were not the dominating factor of their being. They were led by their spirit – which was in communion with God – informing their souls concerning their identity. It was with the opening of their eyes that they began to be governed by their souls. We need to return to the way God created us to see and once again view all things from that perspective.
Until our spirits become the dominating source of understanding, we won’t fully grasp the things of God accurately. Outside of a relationship with God, we will continually have an inaccurate perception of our identity and the world around us. This unequivocally leads us to relate to everything around us: family; friends; community; the world; from a flawed and incorrect viewpoint. We will not view anything the way God intended us to see it.
1 John 2:16 (AMP)
For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.
The spirit of this world and the attitude of the current culture has securely established itself in the church. Not that that’s anything new. The church is so deluded that even when the (unadulterated) truth is presented, it’s blatantly rejected.
Romans 8:5-8 (AMP)
For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
“When a creature has developed into one thing, he will choose death rather than change into his opposite”. ~FRANK HERBERT
Man is so frail and lacking, we are even unable to change ourselves. Not when we are still under the influence of our souls. We need the Spirit of God to aid us in accomplishing any sort of lasting change. Repentance is turning from who we are, our manner of thinking and being. True repentance can only be accomplished by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us.
How do we accomplish this change?
Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV) “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
In a culture where the ‘self’ is exalted; Jesus says the first step in attempting to follow Him is to deny the ‘self’.
Paul writes “that our old self was crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6). Dying to yourself means to forego the selfish, physical, and egotistical desires of this world, your flesh, and wholeheartedly seek the kingdom of God.
Romans 8:13 (NKJV)
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Galatians 5:24 (NKJV)
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
This life in Christ often consists of having to do things our souls resist. Understand this, you have the right to “feel” a certain way about something, but you need to comprehend that your feelings are absolutely irrelevant. “Living for Christ” ultimately means living a life by which you deny yourself. Denying ourselves is the initial step in living a Christ-centered life. Denying ourselves involves us returning to God’s original intent. This means living by the manner in which God intended our bodies to slavishly follow the desires of the soul, which is instructed by our spirit, which is informed by the Spirit of God. Denying ourselves means we no longer live to fulfill the desires that gives the soul pleasure, but fulfill the longing of the spirit, which is to glorify God the Father.
1 Corinthians 6:15;20 (NIV)
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ Himself?…You were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.”
We are only able to honor God with our bodies when our being functions as God created it to. The body CANNOT honor God when the soul is the dominant aspect of our being. The body follows whatever it is submitted to, the desires of the soul or the guidance of the spirit.
John 3:6 (KJV)
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
We are so obsessed with the ever-fading-mortal state of the external. There is a pressing need to return, through repentance, to the true understanding of our identity. No longer should our minds be conformed to what this world has forged us to identify as. Lets view ourselves as God intended – creatures made in His image and likeness – as His sons.
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