Buying The Lie

I am skinny and a nerd. A jock and a weakling. I’ve been called a longhaired hippy and Jesus freak. I’m a skater and a poser. Tattooed and conservative. Unapproachable and the kindest person you’ve ever met. I’ve been told I’m smart and called stupid to my face. My job is beneath me and no one sees its worth.

I have been labeled each one of these things and at some point I’ve believed them all.

Far too often I find my identity in who others say I am rather than who God says I am. The truth is, we’re bombarded with a culture that is tearing us down on a daily basis and many of us only hear what God thinks about us once a week at church.

It’s no wonder we buy the lie.

About a year ago I was really struggling with finding my identity in what others thought, in my job title, and in everything else the world finds important. I needed to remind myself who God says I am. So I searched The Bible and compiled a list. Every time I start to buy the lies of this world I refer back to this list.

This is who God says we are…

You are the son or daughter of God- John 1:12; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:5; 1:3-8

You are Justified (Pronounced not guilty)- Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:30

You are called (chosen)- Romans 1:6, Ephesians 1:4a; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:5; 2:9; John 15:16

You have been given Grace- Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 4:7

You have received mercy- 2 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:10

You are Christ’s ambassador- 2 Corinthians 5:20

You are sanctified (made Holy)- Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 13:12; Ephesians 1:4b; Hebrews 3:1; 1 Peter 1:16

You are accepted- Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 1:13

You are loved- Ephesians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7

You are forgiven (redeemed)- Ephesians 4:32; 1:7 Titus 2:14; 1 John 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14

You are made new- Colossians 3:31; Colossians 3:10

You are the Bride of Christ- Revelation 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17

You are Complete- Colossians 2:19-10

You are His workmanship- Ephesians 2:10

You have been bought with a price- 1 Corinthians 12:27

You are the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine- John 15:16

What are the lies that you buy into and how are you combatting them with truth?