Spiritual Identity Theft

Daily Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1-3

Daily Focus Passage: Genesis 3

Most of us have heard about or dealt with the issue of identity theft. Identity theft occurs when an individual acquires another person's private information to use it for personal gain. In 2021, roughly 1.43 million complaints were made concerning this act. This number indicated an increase of 3.3% from the previous year. The effects of identity theft often leave people in dire straits and difficult dynamics. Like identity theft, every individual deals with spiritual identity theft. In Genesis 1, we find that God created humanity with a purpose and in a relationship with Him. This created purpose and relationship to form the perfect identity for humanity. However, Genesis 3 reveals that this identity is ruined by the fall. Thus, we need to be aware of our status as a victim of spiritual identity theft and see how our identity can be restored.

THE THIEF USES AESTHETICS

Identity theft occurs through various means. Some people have their data stolen through online methods, and others experience this occurrence through unsolicited phone calls or emails. The greatest thief, Satan, stole humanity's spiritual identity through temptation. As Satan approaches Eve in the garden, we find that he mixed enough truth with fallacy to prey upon her. He engaged her by making the forbidden look good.

The enemy often attacks us by making sin look good. This temptation leads us to rationalize an activity because we hold that something that looks good cannot be that bad for us. This form of identity theft draws us toward disobedience from the Lord and makes sin acceptable and okay. When we fall prey to this temptation, we live outside our created identity and allow our true spiritual identity to become stolen in sin. As you consider how Satan attempts to steal your identity through aesthetics, what looks good and tempts you to justify? What guard can you create to combat this threat? 

THE THIEF USES AMBITION

Satan steals our identity through the use of tempting our ambition. We often long for something more significant than the self. We want to be essential and make an impact in life. We set a course as a child to be something when we grow up, and often we do whatever is needed to accomplish this goal. Satan used this ambition to tempt Eve to partake of the fruit in the garden. He made the forbidden to look like the main thing she was missing. As a result, he preyed upon her ambition for something greater. Satan uses the same ploy today to attack us. He tempts our ambitions and causes us to often chase after more excellent status and security through whatever means necessary. As you consider your life's desires, what ambitions could lead you down a path of disobedience before the Lord? What steps of protection will you put into place to overcome this threat? 

THE THIEF USES THE APPETITE

Satan steals our identity by tempting our appetites. The appetites flow from the desires of the flesh that can overcome us. The appetite flows from the desires and wants of the flesh and often blinds us from the calling of the Lord. Satan presented the fruit as a cure for the hunger Eve experienced. This temptation preyed upon her flesh and led her to have her spiritual identity compromised. Likewise, we can often fall prey to the flesh and emotions and allow them to lead us astray from the Lord. We must recognize the appetites that exist. What appetites often overcome your ability to remain faithful to the Lord? How can you push these temptations aside? 

THE CREATOR OFFERS RESTORATION

Genesis 3 tells of the devasting moment of the fall of humanity. Amid this identity theft, the Lord responds with a promise to form a way to have our spiritual identity restored. He promised the coming victor, and we find this revealed and done in the person of Christ. The work on the cross and the resurrection from the tomb paved the way to become restored. When one enters a faith-based relationship with the Lord, they put their hope and trust for their spiritual identity to ultimately be restored in Christ. You and I cannot restore it ourselves but must find restoration in Christ alone and trust in the promise that, in the end, restoration occurs. Have you accepted the offer of spiritual identity restoration?