THE SINFUL NATURE & IDENTITY

THE SINFUL NATURE: IDENTITY

“…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“...For in him we live, and move, and have our being (IDENTITY); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

“…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). 

“…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).

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 Identity is based on who you are, how you think about who you are, and the qualities and character traits that define who you are.

JESUS SAID: “...I am humble and gentle at heart...” Matthew 11:29 NLT). “...I am the Messiah...” (Matthew 24:5 NLT). “...I am Christ...” (Matthew 24:5 KJV). “...he said, I am the Son of God...” (Matthew 27:43 KJV). “...Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am...” (Mark 14:61-62 NLT). “...I am the bread of life...” (John 6:35 KJV). “...I am the light of the world...” (John 8:12 KJV). “...I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me...” (John 8:16 KJV). “..I am from above...” (John 8:23 KJV). “...Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am...” (John 8:58 KJV). “..Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind...” (John 9:39 KJV). “...Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep...” (John 10:7 KJV).

“...I am the good shepherd...” (John 10:11 KJV). “...I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV). “...Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am...” (John 13:13 KJV). “...I am the way, the truth, and the life...” (John 14:6 KJV). “...I am in the Father, and the Father in me...” (John 14:10 KJV). “...I am the true vine...” (John 15:1 KJV). “...I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father...” (John 16:28 KJV). “...I am not of the world...” (John 17:14 KJV). “...Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world...”(John 18:37 KJV). “...I am King of the Jews...” (John 17:21).

IDENTITY is who you are. BEHAVIOR is what you DO. Most people identify themselves by WHAT they DO.

IDENTITY also relates to the internal values that guide and dictate behavior revealed in the choices and decisions you make in life. “...Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” (Mark 1:41 NLT).  “...I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent...” (Mark 4:43 KJV). “...I am casting out demons by the power of God...” (Luke 11:20 NLT). “...I am among you as one who serves...” (Luke 22:27 NLT). “...I am come in my Father's name...” (John 5:43 KJV).

“... I am going to prepare a place for you...” (John 14:2 NLT). “...I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am...” (John 14:3 NLT). “...I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true...” (John 7:28 KJV). “...When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you...” (John 14:20 KJV). 

“...I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me...” (John 8:18 KJV). “...Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father...” (John 8:19 KJV).”...Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things...” (John 8:28 KJV). “...I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father...” (John 8:38 KJV).

Choices and decisions you make in life reflect who YOU are and what YOU value. “...I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance...”(Matthew 9:13 KJV). “...But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I...” (John 5:17  NLT). “...I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me...” (John 8:42 NLT).

“...But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father...” (John 10:38 KJV). “...when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself...” (John 12:32 KJV). “...The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works...” (John 14:10 KJV). “...I am in the Father, and the Father in me...” (John 14:10 KJV). “..I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me...” (John 17:23 KJV).

If a person values “mental health” and helping people they may become a therapist, or psychologists, or psychiatrist. Who they ARE motivated them to DO something.

Unfortunately, only a few people choose their identities (who they are), but instead choose external values that focus on what they DO.

Focusing on what you DO allows a person to build any IMAGE they choose, without engaging WHO they are. In addition, they may pursue material possessions, fame, power, or outward appearance as a way to CREATE, for themselves,  a different IMAGE.

When a man or woman CHOOSES to CREATE an IMAGE they are attempting to CREATE a better version of SELF. They may use and copy the behaviors of one or more ROLE MODELS in order to CREATE “that” IMAGE.

MANKIND was once CREATED in the VERY BEST IMAGE ever. God CREATED mankind and they were originally CREATED in the IMAGE of the DIVINE NATURE which is HOLY! “….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

When a man or woman attempts to CREATE an IMAGE they combine, what they think, are “ideal” behaviors, together, to make themselves “seem” like they have preferable characteristics that are socially acceptable or “good” in order to please or gain the favor of others.“…thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and …art polluted with their idols…” (Ezekiel 23:30). “…What shall it profit a man (woman), if he (she) shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 KJV).

The reason CREATING an IMAGE works is because MANKIND will look upon the outside, at what a person DOES, but not at the TRUE SELF.“...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, …”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). .  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

The problem with CREATING an IMAGE is that GOD looks on the inside, at the TRUE SELF, at who a person truly “is” in their heart and knows their HYPOCRISY. “...the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). .  “... hypocrites! ...which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

“…No one needed… to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). “… He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked…” (Psalm 11:4-5 NLT).

Some people have found that CREATING an IMAGE is good, from a distance, and may work, but intimacy, sooner or later, reveals the TRUE SELF.“... hypocrites! ...which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

You may GAIN the favor of some, but LOSE the favor of those that really matter! “…What shall it profit a man (woman), if he (she) shall gain the whole world, and lose his (her) own soul (who you really are)?” (Mark 8:36 KJV).  

CREATING an IMAGE that is nothing like the TRUE SELF won’t work with INTIMATE relationships with others. INTIMATE relationships were designed to engage with the TRUE SELF. They may see you as a HYPOCRITE!

What is a “hypocrite?” A hypocrite is someone who PRETENDS to be something they KNOW they are NOT! The term comes from an old Latin word that meant “play-acting.”

Jesus pointed out hypocrites all the time on their public fasting, long, drawn-out prayers, showing off their gifts, and their wanna-be-seem alms-giving. “… Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…” (Matthew 6:2 KJV). “… When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…” (Matthew 6:5 KJV). “… When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…” (Matthew 6:16 KJV).

There was a group of Scribes and Pharisees, who were hypocrites and they play-acted their roles by pretending to be public examples of religious holiness, but Jesus KNEW they were NOT. He KNEW their hearts were TOTALLY opposite of their public pretense.

“…Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV).

Jesus frequently talked about religious pretenders too and misguided zealots play-acting the role of “disciple” and called them hypocrites. “…And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you…” (Mark 7:20-23 NLT).

Hypocrisy or PRETENSE is a SIN. “…Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and HYPOCRISIES, and envies, and all evil speakings..” (1 PETER 2:1 KJV). “… So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, HYPOCRISY, jealousy, and all unkind speech…” (1 PETER 2:1 NLT).

There are consequences to pretending to be someone you are NOT, especially with God. Remember Ananias and Sapphira, who pretended to GIVE more than they actually GAVE. “… There was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband…” (Acts 5:1-10 NLT). “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH...” (Proverbs  14:20 KJV). “…There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways DEATH ….” (Proverbs 16:25 KJV). “…and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

Hypocrisy brings forth DEATH: physical, relational, financially, mentally or spiritual. Spiritually it can lead others AWAY from God and into hypocrisy too. “… I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile … But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.  When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy…” (Galatians 2:1-13 NLT).

In addition, a man or woman attempts to CREATE an IMAGE based on “acceptable” or so-called “good” behavior, in a world, where ALL PEOPLE are UNDER the POWER of the EVIL ONE (the GREATEST hypocrite of all). “…He was a murderer from the beginning …” (John 8:44 NASB).

The EVIL ONE will lie to you, as he did to Eve, and make you believe you can be “good” and “acceptable” without God. “… for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NASB). Thus, “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “… [ALL have become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (efforts to BE good is) as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).

You can CREATE the IMAGE and “still” NOT “BE” the image.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

Therefore, even if you CREATE an IMAGE it only APPEARS beautiful on the OUTSIDE, but inside is the TRUE SELF and TRUE NATURE.

YOU can’t CREATE an GOOD IMAGE without God.“….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit and Word), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).  “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).

CREATING an image (who you want to be) is NOT the same as IDENTITY (who you really are). Choosing IMAGE over IDENTITY can be unfulfilling.

A person can have many ROLES in life too, such as mother, father, grandmother, sister, brother, friend, relative, teacher, doctor, writer, and spouse, but those are positions of expectations and responsibilities.

Who you are (identity), in those ROLES, will also depend upon the internal values that guide and dictate your behavior and the choices you make within each of those social context. . “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

IDENTITY initially develops within the family unit and through the many role models a person encounters in their life. “… You are the light of the world (parents, family, role models)..." (Matthew 5:14 KJV). "…Let your light shine before men (women, children) in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 NASB).  

A person’s IDENTITY starts to be formed through the eyes of the family unit, especially parents. The family unit or parents initially DEFINE a person’s IDENTITY for them.  If the parents treat or say, “...you are stupid...” The child will DEFINE themselves as “...stupid...” “…As [person] THINKETH within his [or her] heart (thoughts, words, etc), so is he [or she] (actions, behaviors, etc.)…” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).

IDENTITY is FORMED, SHAPED, MOLDED, and TRAINED in a world (family and social context) under the power of the EVIL ONE. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).  “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…For all have sinned (all have the flesh nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).

Depending upon a person’s life experience their IDENTITY formation may or may not MATCH available or preferred social or acceptable roles in the dominant society. However, “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

The struggle with IDENTITY (who you are) - when it does not MATCH available or preferred social or acceptable roles in the dominant society- it will often, make a person, compensate it with something else. “...Be … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...The lord (Jesus) is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God (the Holy Spirit)...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit and Jesus, the Word), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).  

That COMPENSATION, for not meeting up to available or preferred social or acceptable roles, may be to CREATE an whole other IMAGE or FALL PREY to a negative or darker side of identity, which may involve living with low self-esteem, addictions, compulsions, depressions, meaningless activities, angry attitudes, hopeless worldviews, going on crime sprees, or being self-destructive as a past-time.

Whenever some kind of  COMPENSATION is chosen it is because IDENTITY formation was seriously damaged.

When IDENTITY formation is seriously damaged, a person’s CHOICES and decisions can negatively affect the way they see the TRUE SELF.

BAD, WRONG, DIDN’T-MEAN-IT, CHOICES, mistakes, weaknesses, failures, decisions etc. affect the way people see the TRUE SELF.

People, with damaged IDENTITIES, prefer to deny the TRUE SELF, especially if it has too many mishaps and even worst behavior. They begin to believe the TRUE SELF is WORTHLESS and has NO value.

In a world, UNDER the POWER of the EVIL ONE, what you DO is a reflection of who you ARE by NATURE.

IDENTITY formation, that is inundated with the wrong values, may have guided and dictated a hosts of SINFUL BEHAVIORS that have chronically affected the WRONG CHOICES and decisions one has made in life. They may also believe the TRUE SELF is UNREDEEMABLE.

It is through God’s redemption, however, that we ALL discover the TRUE SELF, which was originally created with the indwelling Holy Spirit.“….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). Mankind was originally created in God’s “image”, which is SPIRIT. “…God is not human (he is not a body or flesh)…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you (dwelt in Adam and Eve)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

“…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (HIS Spirit or spiritual LIFE); and man (woman) became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“...and man (woman) became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

When the soul is RESTORED to a LIVING SOUL it is a NEW CREATION. “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...and man (woman) became a living soul (soul) ... [AGAIN] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

 A new IDENTITY formation, in seed form, is planted in the heart. “…… THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

The SEED is WATERED by the HOLY SPIRIT, so it can GROW and produce fruit in the life of the redeemed.

“…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). God, the Holy Spirit represents a type of water and refers to himself as “...spring of living water...” (Jeremiah 2:13 KJV).

 “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). The bible says, “....I (God, the Holy Spirit) will pour my Spirit upon THY SEED...” (Isaiah 44:3 KJV).

The SPIRIT is the WORD, which WATERS the SEED and produces spiritual FRUIT.  Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “… THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…THE WORDS ... they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV).“....I (God, the Holy Spirit) will pour my Spirit upon THY SEED...” (Isaiah 44:3 KJV).

“… The Spirit of truth (the indwelling Spirit) …will guide you into all the truth. …” (John 16:13 NIV). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [GOD GUIDES HIS PEOPLE] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…The [indwelling]...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to produce fruit) THROUGH [the redeemed] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...the  (indwelling) Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [their]... lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

God is NOT like HUMANS; he originally created them to be LIKE him. Thus, HUMANS were CREATED in the image of the DIVINE NATURE “not” the other way around. “….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his “own” image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God …breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

The REDEEMED can FREELY choose to have a NEW IDENTITY, because they are totally NEW CREATIONS! “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him we live, and move, and have our being ( our NEW IDENTITY); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

The old IDENTITY is GONE. You are NOT what you USED to be by IDENTITY formation or by the old NATURE. “...You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language...” (Colossians 3:6-8 NLT). “...once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true...” (Ephesians 5:7-9 NLT).  “... thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God...” (1 Corinthians 6:10-11 NLT).“…old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

THESE SCRIPTURES ARE TRUE ABOUT YOU!!“…The truth shall MAKE YOU FREE…” (JOHN 8:32 KJV).

You are totally DELIVERED FROM your  OLD IDENTITY created through the SINFUL NATURE. Jesus, the WORD said: “…The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Jesus, the Word of God), because he hath anointed me (with the Holy Spirit and POWER) to preach …. deliverance to the captives…” (John 4:16-21 KJV). “… all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

YOU are DELIVERED “THROUGH” JESUS CHRIST WHO EMPOWERS YOU TO “BE” FREE FROM THE OLD IDENTITY AND OLD NATURE, TO WALK IN FREEDOM, AND TO LIVE IN FREEDOM!!!

“…It is God who works in you…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep … work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] grant[s]… [the redeemed]… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “...The same God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord ...[YOU are delivered from the OLD IDENTITY and the old sin nature] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

Jesus, the WORD said: “…The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me (with the Holy Spirit and POWER) to preach …. deliverance to the captives…” (John 4:16-21 KJV). “…if the Son (Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the indwelling Holy Spirit)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).

“…if God be for [you], who [or what bondage] can be against [you]?” (Romans 8:31 KJV). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord [YOU are delivered from the OLD IDENTITY and the sinful nature] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB). “…if the Son (THE WORD)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV).

Remember: “…The Lord bought ... [Israel] out with a mighty hand and redeemed [them] out of the house of bondmen… (Deuteronomy 7:8 KJV). If you are redeemed, HE BOUGHT YOU OUT TOO from the bondage of your OLD IDENTITY and the sinful nature!!

 GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS THE GREAT DELIVER!!!

“…Trust in (DEPEND UPON) the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto (DON’T DEPEND UPON) thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

YOU ARE A NEW CREATION WITH A NEW IDENTITY.

“…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…The steps (OF DELIVERANCE) of a good man are ordered (DIRECTED) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

Instead of trying to CREATE an IMAGE yourself, God, the Holy Spirit conforms you into the IMAGE of Jesus Christ, your new TRUE SELF!

“….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his “own” image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).

“…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“...and man (woman) became a living soul (soul) ... [AGAIN] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).

“...Be … imitators of ...[Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

“...For in him we live, and move, and have our being (our NEW IDENTITY)...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).