God In The Mirror - Discovering Who You Were Created To Be [Updated]

Pastor Miles McPherson has a new book out entitled, "God In The Mirror - Discovering Who You Were Created To Be."

Pastor Miles writes:

"Satan's plan is to turn God's image in you against God Himself by turning you into an I AM imposter. An I AM imposter is someone who has become his or her own god. Once the devil tricks you into changing your identity to be your own god, you'll start to think you can do fine without God, and that'll be the beginning of your self-destruction."

So far I have read seven chapters and it is an excellent book that reveals just what is meant by God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in Genesis 1:26 when They stated, "Let Us make man in our image."

A great review from the Amazon site:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!, May 27, 2013

By Jeff Sullivan - See all my reviews This review is from: God in the Mirror: Discovering Who You Were Created to Be (Paperback)

Pastor Miles really breaks down how we are created to reflect God's glory, and how the enemy is hell bent on derailing us from God's special plans for our lives.

Attempting to take the place of God was what caused Lucifer's fall in the first place. Unfortunately, mankind is guilty of following in Lucifer's footsteps...even though some may not want to admit it.

God tells each of us what His special plan is for our individual lives through His Written Word, the Bible, His Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the Helper - the Holy Spirit. Ignoring or rejecting any one of these is a big reason why many are missing His message.

Satan influences your passion and your efforts to glorify yourself instead of God. This is all an attempt to redefine who you are.

Pastor Miles writes, "Satan knows self-glorification is the fastest and most direct path to self-destruction, because it is what destroyed him. The devil wants you to think that you can do what you want and, therefore, you can be like God --in control of your own life and independent of Him." 

The Bible tells us how important faith in God really is. 

Hbr 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Pastor Miles writes:

Once you have adopted Satan's identity for yourself apart from God, you have to validate that identity by proving your value and importance.  You become chained to earning acceptance and approval, always working to be something, to make something of yourself.  The devil will be right in your face challenging your identity, like he challenged Jesus by demanding He prove Himself in Matthew 4:  "If you're the Son of God, prove it!  Do this, if you are the Son of God, do that."  The devil will confront you in the same way.

Pastor Miles goes on to describe some of the bad or sinful ways that Satan will go about tempting you to "prove" yourself. This section got me to thinking about all of the craziness and chaos that people create in their own lives, which then affects other people and their lives. Why? Because they have "exchanged the truth for a lie."

I suggest reading the entirety of Romans 1.

The Romans 1:25 verse informs us:

Rom 1:25   who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

However, reading some of the prior verses as well as the verses following Romans 1:25,  puts what Paul is talking about into more clarity:

Rom 1:22	Professing to be wise, they became fools,
	Rom 1:23	and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
	Rom 1:24	Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

The verses following Romans 1:25 tell us what RESULTS from uncleanness, lusts of the heart, and dishonoring their own bodies:

Rom   1:26	For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
	Rom 1:27	Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

Homosexuality is being presented these days as "the new normal." But God's Word tells us differently. It isn't "the new normal" - it has always been an abomination and sin before God's eyes.

Note that Paul mentions "vile passions." This passage includes heterosexual sexual sins as well (like pornography, adultery, abortion, prostitution, bigamy, polygamy, bestiality etc.).

Paul goes on to write many other sins that people get involved in and how they affect them. The I AM imposter is fervently fed by such things:

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, [fn] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, [fn] unmerciful;

We could all probably spend days, weeks, months and even years giving examples of those who have been caught up in such vile acts and actions.  It is truly awful to see how debased minds in government, in the media, in Hollywood, in aberrant businesses, in liberal/progressive colleges, in public education, in heretical churches etc. have changed America - and not for the better!

So, what do we do about it? 

I think that Pastor Miles book helps give us direction regarding such matters.

He writes:

"You could spend a lot of years manipulating people or fooling yourself into being a little god, an I Am imposter, whatever he (Satan) has convinced you to be.  What a waste of time.  Would you agree that Satan has been successful in wearing you out trying to prove yourself, to be someone that God never intended you to be?  I know people who spend their entire lives trying to fulfill someone else's vision or expectations for their lives, when in fact they would have been so much more fulfilled sticking to God's plan for them."

Pastor Miles provides a chart that gives a comparison between your I AM factor and the characteristics God intended for your identity, and those associated with an I AM imposter identity. God intended for you to rest in who He made you to be. Satan's identity will result in nothing but restlessness and unnecessary striving.

God's truth to His image bearers:                              The devil's lies to
                                                                                        everyone:
You're My success. (Josh. 1:8)                                    You're a failure.

You're My winner.  (Phil. 3:13-14)                             You're a loser.

You're unique in My family. (Ps. 139:12-14)             You're better than
                                                                                         others.
You're filled with My promises. (Heb. 6:12)              You're hopeless.

You can do all things through Me. (Phil. 4:13)          You can't do anything
                                                                                         right.
I am the Lord who heals you. (Ps. 103:3)                   You'll always be weak
                                                                                         and sick.
You are born for "such a time as this."                      You don't get the
(Esther 4:14)                                                                  breaks others do.
And will long enjoy the work of your hands.
(Isa. 65:22)

Everything under heaven is Mine.  (Job 41:11)          I can give you the
                                                                                         world!
You're  loved  with an everlasting love.                     Nobody loves you.
(Jer. 31:3)

This is only the beginning, people.  Much, much more in the book that will help you in regards to finding your true identity in Jesus Christ!

My prayer is the same as Pastor Miles:

My prayer is that God opens your eyes and reveals to you who you war and where your life is going so you will not allow it to be destroyed by Satan's lies.

Amen!