“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” --Deuteronomy 33:12

Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person’s social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.

As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.

Satan steals a person’s potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God’s forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God’s ultimate purpose for their lives.

The devil’s goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are “precious and honored” in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How’s that for value? And you are capable of being all that God’s called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).

It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan’s crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.