Image and Identity

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭‬‬

“For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭‬‬

I was listening The Garden the other day; the writer, Jon Gordon, posed a view of the fall in the garden of Eden that I had never heard before. It struck me because it is something, that in part, I use in working with couples. I had never taken it to the conclusion he shared.

He concluded that Adam and Eve chose to sin because they believed the lie that they were different from God. When they were created, it was “in the image of God, in His own image.” Yet Satan said “God knows if you eat from the tree, you will be like Him.” Satan was trying to steal the identity God had already given them.

In marriage work with my clients, I often use the following two scriptures to point out that the enemy comes in and tries to highlight what is different, to separate us from our partner and from God. Before Adam and Eve sinned, the Word says:

“The man and the woman were both naked, but they were not embarrassed.” Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬ ‭

After they sinned, it was not the parts of their bodies that caused them to sin that they covered. The didn’t cover their eyes, ears or mouth. They covered the parts of them that were different from each other.

“As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬

Then they took those differences and tried to hide completely from God.

“That evening they heard the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. But the Lord God called out to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭‬

I believe that our identities are still being attacked today, on so many levels. It is so important that we not only know whose we are, but also our identity in Him. That comes through a deep relationship with Him.

If I don’t spend quality time with my husband, it is easy for the enemy to start sowing seeds of doubt. If we are not talking regularly and connecting intimately, the enemy uses that distance, that void to create questions. We can’t stop odd thoughts from coming to us. We are more likely to entertain those negative thoughts when there is something missing in our relationship. That is why we are warned:

“Do not deny yourselves to each other, unless you first agree to do so for a while in order to spend your time in prayer; but then resume normal marital relations. In this way you will be kept from giving in to Satan’s temptation because of your lack of self-control.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬ ‭‬‬

When we entertain those thoughts, we are not obeying the passage: “we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬

We can not allow other people or the world to define us. Only our Creator knows who we are. It is when we become firm in the identity that He provides that we can combat the attacks of the enemy. Satan even tried this tactic with Jesus

“The Devil said to him, “If you are God’s Son…””. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭‬‬. Jesus had already been confirmed by His father at his baptism. He didn’t have room for Satan’s tactics.

If you struggle with knowing your identity, I would encourage you to get into the Word for yourself. Start declaring who God says you are over yourself. Here are some scriptures to get you started:

John 1:12 I am God’s child.

John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 I have been justified.

1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.

Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.

Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.

Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.

Romans 8:31-39 I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.

Colossians 3:1-4 I am hidden with Christ in God.

Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.

Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.

2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.

John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.

1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God’s temple.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.

Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.

Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.

Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

The enemy of our souls has been attacking our identities since the Garden of Eden. When we begin to recognize and identify with being made in His image we can combat the lies of this world. When we draw closer to God and learn more about His characteristics, we can submit to the process of becoming more like Him as we lay down the lies that we have identified ourself with. When we know whose we are and who we are we are better equipped to help others become who God created them to be. We can speak life into ourself, and others.