Seeing Yourself Biblically vs. as an I AM Imposter [Video link added!]

One of the reviews in the back of  Pastor Miles McPherson's new book, "God in the Mirror - Discovering Who You Were Created To Be." is written by Mark Driscoll, founding and preaching pastor, Mars Hill Church; NY Times bestselling author:

"In this helpful book, Pastor Miles shows us that unless we see ourselves biblically we will have a false identity that leads to a life of misery."

Since I am only on chapter 8, the following discussion does not cover the entirety of what you will learn from the book.  However, it is a brief discussion, including some analysis from Scripture, about the overall importance of what is discussed in chapter 2.


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, corruption, and chaos that people create in their own lives, which then affects other people and their lives.

Why?

 It all starts 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 are negatively affected by 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 are and where your life is going so you will not allow it to be destroyed by Satan's lies.

Amen!



Video link update! View the 6-week series on God In The Mirror:

Pastor Miles McPherson: God In The Mirror