This is a scripture that has been spoken on many times. Often I have heard preachers use it to speak about overcoming temptation, which is great. However I have always wondered about the first part of the conversation. I have seen it as a key that could actually transform our thinking and so the way we live. When the devil is speaking with Jesus before he tempts him with anything, the first thing he does is challenges his identity. ‘If you are the Son of God…’ This is not just a statement to make a point, it’s a statement to provoke a reaction; doubt! I believe if Jesus had not known who he was in his heart, in his spirit then the statement would have finished him and the devil wouldn’t have had to tempt him. But as the devil continues to tempt Jesus with offerings of what he could have or who he could be it seems that the enemy assumed the initial question, ‘if you are the Son…’ had somehow caused Jesus to weaken. This seems to give us a clear warning, if we allow our identity as children of God to be stolen then we become weak and susceptible to temptation and we not only forget who we are but we also forget who God is. This has been a fight that has been going on for generations, a fight for our identity as children of God, as co heirs, as priests, as blood bought, as precious to God. There is a world full of people not just in the up and coming generation but even the older generations who don’t know who they are, who don’t know their worth. This seems to be a contributing fact to many who struggle with their identity. The enemy set to destroy and steal our identity and for some has tried to destroy them even as a child through abuse, neglect and all the things that undermine who you are in God. In today’s society many people now give themselves away so easily to one another and it all seems to come down to the root of worth and identity. If we knew who we were we would value ourselves much more.

I have put together a list below of thoughts/feelings you may struggle with and then a scripture that can be used to help you overcome that particular thought or feeling.  I would encourage you to pray the scripture out loud. I’m not saying it will be easy. I’m not saying the thoughts and feeling will go in a day, a week or even a month but they will go eventually. Our feelings eventually will catch up with what we are speaking, when what we are speaking is the truth!

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