I Am Secure
You’re in a WAR – the war is for your IDENTITY – but God has given you the weapons to WIN the war!
Matthew 3:16–4:11 NIV
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
The devil wants you to try to EARN what God has already GIVEN you.
How do we avoid IDENTITY THEFT?
- Be ALERT
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Names of the Devil in the Bible:
Father of Lies Thief
Ruler of this world Accuser
Tempter Evil One
Matthew 4:2-3 NIV
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him…
Every temptation is an invitation from the enemy to give him access into our hearts and our identity.
ran·som·ware| ˈransəmˌwer | noun: a type of malicious software designed to block access to, hold hostage and scramble computer system data until a sum of money is paid
How do we avoid IDENTITY THEFT?
2) Be PREPARED
Matthew 4:4 NIV
Jesus answered, “IT IS WRITTEN: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV
… man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to STAND firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to RESIST the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be STANDING FIRM. STAND YOUR GROUND, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
For every lie of the enemy God has a better Truth!
How do we avoid IDENTITY THEFT?
3) Be SECURE
John 10:27-30 ESV
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
