“You’re not good enough.”
“You’re not qualified.”
“You’ll never amount to anything.”
How many times can you hear the same lie before you start to believe it?
Negative voices (past and present), from parents, teachers, bosses, and anyone whose words still live in your head can tear down your true identity, and convince you that you are not good enough, a failure, or unable to do amazing things with your life.
In her new song, The Truth, Megan Woods sings:
“I used to know who I was
Now I look in the mirror and I'm not so sure
Lord, I don't wanna listen to the lies anymore.”
It’s time to discover who you really are.
It’s time to silence the negative voices in your head – including your own.
And replace those lies with the truth.
As you do. You will discover your true identity. And you will be surprised at the beautiful, powerful person God created you to be.
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00:00 Intro
01:07 Clothe Yourself With the Lord Jesus Christ
02:58 Be Transformed into a New Person
05:24 But be transformed by the renewing of your mind
06:45 Action Step
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DON’T’ MISS THIS!
In two weeks, I will launch a video course “30 Days to Radically Shift Your Identity in Christ!” Join me as we journey to new identity in Christ from 1/27/2025 to 2/26/2025. I am excited about what God will do in your as we take this journey together. See the Playlist “30 Days to Radically Shift Your Identity” to see all the videos.
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***Clothe Yourself With the Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh
“Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ” is obviously a metaphor for putting on Christ. But what does that mean?
Sometimes to really understand scripture we need to look at the original language – the Greek that it was written in and see the meaning in that language and in the culture of that time.
"Enduo" - To put on, to clothe, to be dressed
Strong’s Lexicon says:
Usage:. It conveys the idea of adopting a new identity or character, much like one would don a garment.
Cultural and Historical Background:
In ancient Greek culture, clothing was not only a necessity but also a symbol of status, identity, and role. To "put on" a garment could signify a change in one's social status or role."
At this time, clothing was made by hand weaving, dying by hand, and sewing one stitch at a time. An ornate robe could take many hours to make. You could quickly identity the economic status and the authority of a person by their clothing.
Strong’s continues:
“The metaphorical use of "enduo" in the New Testament reflects this cultural understanding, emphasizing a transformation…"
“Put on Christ” means to be transformed by putting on your new identity in Christ.
***Be Transformed into a New Person
Transformation – metamorphoo – Greek word from which we get metamorphosis. Total, radical change. It’s not 10% or 50% better. It’s total, complete – amazing, awesome change. From the heart out.
Romans 12:1-2 reveals God’s process to transform us.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. The first and greatest command is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. That’s what being a living sacrifice means.
When we are a living sacrifice, we sacrifice what we want to God daily. The truth is people in this world live to get what they want. That’s what the fall of man has done to us. Self-ish desires control us. They drive us. We spend our time, effort, and resources to get what we want.
God says, if you will sacrifice what you want to Me daily, I will give you what I have for you. What I have is better. Much, much better than anything you could ever get on your own.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What does “Don’t conform to the pattern of this world” mean?
God calls us to refuse to submit to, go along with, and be obedient to the thoughts, the philosophies, the beliefs and culture of this world.
“But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
This is God’s call for you and I to be radically, forever changed by renewing our minds – our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs.
We are to replace the thoughts, beliefs, philosophies and culture of the world with God’s thoughts and His Word.
This is an amazing promise. Just replacing the old way of thinking with God’s truth radically, forever changes us.
Romans 12:2 NLT:
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. ….”
Your new identity awaits!