The Biggest Identity Thief



Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2009

by
CIG

Have you ever had your identity stolen? I have. Twice. It's not pleasant and it is a big hassle to get everything back to normal.

In this article, I want to tell you about the biggest identity thief that I know. This thief can steal your identity in a matter of seconds. And it usually takes some time before you realize your identity has been stolen. But the sad part about this heist is that most people wait far too long to regain their identity.

When I go to the bank to withdraw some money, they ask to see my ID. Of course, "ID" is short for "identity." They want to check to make sure that I am who I say I am. Legally, they want to make sure that I have the right to withdraw the funds. If it's my account and I show proof of my identity there is no problem, I have a right to receive the monies I have requested from my account.

As an American citizen I have certain rights. I have the right to vote; I have the right to own property; I have the right to bear arms; I have the right to enter back into this country if I have been away. Those are just a few of the rights that I have as a citizen.

I can enter freely into my home because it is my home. I have every right to go the refrigerator and get some food. I can relax in the family room or go to sleep in my bedroom. It is my right to be in my own home. I belong there.

But I could certainly not pick anyone else's house in the neighborhood and just walk in, make a sandwich and then turn on the TV. Why? I do not belong there. I have no right to be there. In fact, even if I were to walk into someone else's house, uninvited, I would feel very out of place. I would feel uncomfortable because I would know that I did not belong there.

There is a word in the Bible that comes up in religious circles. It is the word righteous. That word may connote different things to different people, and to some it may just sound like a nice religious or spiritual term. But the word used in the Bible is a legal term, and it means to be right or approved, according to legal standards.

The Bible also says that when a person gets saved, or born again, they are made righteous. In other words, in God's eyes, you are right, you are approved, you belong. That is your true spiritual identity.

You are righteous in God's eyes. He made you righteous. And if you are "right" in His sight, then you don't have to feel uneasy in His presence. Why? Because you belong; it is your right to be there.

But what happens when we fall short? We feel badly; we feel guilty. And when that happens, the Bible says we are to go to God, confess or admit our sin, tell Him we are sorry, and, because Jesus Christ paid the price, God forgives us. But then the identity thief moves in.

The biggest identity thief I know is self condemnation. Here's why. When you allow what you have done to make you feel unworthy, like you don't belong any more, you rob yourself of your true identity. You forget that you are righteous in God's eyes, that you belong in His presence, and that you are legally right in His sight!

Allowing feelings of unworthiness, condemnation and all of those "unrighteous feelings" robs your true identity as one who belongs in God's presence. And, when you feel like that, how much confidence do you have to pray and ask for God's help?

We need to remember that God forgives us not because we are so very sorry for what we have done, not because we promise to not do that again, not because we promise to be a better person. God forgives us because the price for our sins has already been paid by Jesus Christ.

When we fail to ask for forgiveness or not accept His forgiveness, and instead walk around feeling guilty and unworthy, that's when self condemnation steals our true spiritual identity. With your identity stolen, you will not feel right about going to God for help and guidance. You will feel out of place in His presence. You will feel like you really don't belong

When you truly accept His forgiveness, then those feelings of guilt and shame and condemnation will go away. Then, you can reclaim your true identity as one who belongs to God and in whom God sees as righteous.

Do you feel unworthy to approach God? Do you feel uncomfortable and out of place to just walk into the presence of God and share all that's on your heart and find help in time of need? If you do, then you have allowed self condemnation to steal your true identity. Your true identity has been stolen.

Get it back by believing what the Bible says. Ask God to forgive you, and then accept His forgiveness. Sometimes we are so good at saying, "I'm sorry," but we need to get better at accepting His forgiveness.

Stop allowing self condemnation to steal your identity and rob your prayer life. You can get back up on your feet and stop feeling guilty, condemned, unworthy, and full of shame. You really are God's child. In His eyes you are righteous, you are right and you belong.

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Michael A. Verdicchio offers a FREE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to, "Enriching Your Life Now!" as well as a FREE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ConfidenceAndJoy.com He also offers a FREE series of articles on success at http://www.ReducingStressAtWork.com

Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has also been the voice on numerous projects and productions including Mike's Pep Talks!

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