There’s much talk today about identity theft. It happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. The identity thief may use your information to apply for credit, file taxes, or get medical services. These acts can damage your credit status, and cost you time and money to restore your good name.
The ubiquitous nature of the Internet has made identity theft easy and prevalent over the past 15+ years. One of the first companies on the scene to combat it was LifeLock, which was founded in 2005. In 2007 then CEO, Todd Davis, ran advertisements with his social security number. I remember driving on the PA Turnpike seeing billboards with the ad. It’s my earliest memory of the topic of identity theft. Since then, I’ve been prudent about protecting my and my family’s identity. LifeLock was acquired by computer security software company Symantec in 2017 and later rebranded to Norton LifeLock. I still subscribe to their identity protection services.
Since humans appeared on Earth, we’ve been vulnerable to identity theft. Our identity is in our Creator, however, Satan wants to confuse us about it. He wants to rob us of all the wonderful uniqueness and talents we have instilled in us by God. He’s successful in getting us to pick up other means of identity such as race. This confusion is one of the reasons that racism still exists and reconciliation between races has not occurred. Its what makes Satan the GOAT (greatest of all time) identity thief.
The Holy Spirit is our greatest gift and protection against Satan’s identity theft. When we receive the Spirit, we have a Helper to clarify the confusion of our identity. Only the Spirit can bring unity between broken, competitive, and needy people. Only through the Spirit do we have the ability to love and accept others regardless of their color, class, or culture. We can not be selfless in our own strength. We need the Helper to pursue unity through humility.
We must view our identity as an avenue to live out God’s purpose for our lives. Our identities are intrinsically linked to our purpose … not our race, not our color, not our job, not our house, not our car, not our status. Our identity is not separate from our purpose, but rather a conduit for it.
Joy is a holy emotion that we inherited from God when we were created in His image. Our identity is rooted in that joy. Don’t be confused by Satan’s schemes. Don’t let him make you question who you are and whose you are.
Identity is so important because who you perceive yourself to be will determine your actions. God does not ask we deny our race or culture, but He asks that those things do not get in the way of our commitment to Him and to each other.
MindWolves 