Real Victory For Real Life Through Identity

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

(Judges 6:12 ESV)

 

At this time in Scripture, Israel was going through a rough patch with sin, and their sin brought unnecessary hardship.  This hardship occurred through the hands of other nations, but God heard Israel’s cries and raised up judges to preserve His people.

Gideon was a judge and this was his opportunity to serve his people.  He almost disregarded the opportunity because he wasn’t trusting God, nor did he believe how God described him, “O mighty man of valor.”  Gideon rejects this view and proceeds to share his own resume, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (v. 15 ESV).  Gideon goes on to put God to the test by making Him prove who He is.  This is where the phrase “fleecing the Lord” developed.

Before we judge Gideon and others about their lack of belief, believers in Jesus do likewise.  What is more, unlike Gideon and his contemporaries, we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  Think of the lies we believe because of our past, our failures, the enemy, other people and the like… Have you ever said: “This isn’t worth it,” “I’m not loved,” “I’m alone,” “I’m not this,” “I will always be like this,” “I have no value/worth.”  The lies never end.

But God, in the midst of these lies, supplies truth to combat the deceptions of the enemy, the alluring compromises of the world, the deceitfulness of our flesh, etc.  Our identity is not what we do, but who we are.  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

It’s difficult to consistently behave in a manner which is inconsistent with how you see yourself.

Consider these truths out of God’s Word.

1. You are a Child of God. (John 1:12)
2. You are Loved by God. (Psalm 86:15)
3. You are Accepted. (Romans 15:7)
4. You are Valued (Matthew 10:30,31)
5. You are Secure (John 10:28)

News Flash: Gideon went on to fulfill his purpose as a mighty man of valor.

 

This Freedom Fighter was originally published in Real Victory for Real Life Volume 3

Written by Juan Mendez: Juan is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and now serves as the Colony of Mercy Program Administrator at America’s Keswick. He is married to Diera Mendez who serves in Barbara’s Place and has four children – Juan Jr., Olivia, Sage, and Orlando.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. -2 Corinthians 5:14-15