In the Bible, we find a story that helps us understand how certain feelings and conditions of the heart can make us forget our identity as children of God.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a man who had two sons.
The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance, left his family, and went away to live in debauchery.
But after losing everything, he returned to his father, who welcomed him with joy and organized a celebration for him.
When the older son saw how happy his father was about the return of his lost younger brother, he became jealous and said to his father:
“Behold, I have been serving you for so many years…” (Luke 15:29)
Because of jealousy, he forgot that he was a son and an heir. He saw himself as nothing more than a servant.
The same happens to some children of God: they forget their identity as God’s children and live like servants, even though they are heirs of the divine promises.
Yet God has “predestined us to adoption as sons, through Jesus Christ, in himself, according to the purpose of his will.”
(Ephesians 1:5)
And the Bible declares:
« The Spirit himself renders testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of God. » (Romans 8:16)
However, many feelings can make us forget this identity.
Jealousy
Jealousy pushes us to look at the blessings of others instead of looking to God. It makes us believe that we are less valuable or that God has forgotten us.
Fear
Fear paralyzes us and makes us live like slaves: fear of rejection, failure, or the future. It makes us forget that God is our Father.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of virtue, and of love, and of self-restraint.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Other dangerous feelings
– Shame makes us believe that we are no longer worthy to be called children of God.
– Excessive guilt pushes us to run away from God instead of returning to Him like a child to his father.
– Pride pushes us to live without depending on God, as though we could move forward on our own.
– Rejection makes us believe that if people abandon us, then God has abandoned us as well.
– Discouragement makes us forget the promises and inheritance God has prepared for His children.
– Comparison causes us to despise what God has placed within us by constantly looking at others.
– Bitterness fills the heart with wounds and gradually distances us from fellowship with the Father.
– Doubt questions God’s love, faithfulness, and even His presence in our lives.
– Love for the world attaches us so strongly to earthly things that we forget our spiritual identity.
Very often:
– jealousy makes us look at others;
– fear makes us look at problems;
– but faith makes us look at God.
The biblical truth remains the same:
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we would be called, and would become, the sons of God. Because of this, the world does not know us, for it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1)
Spiritual warfare often begins there: making us forget who we truly are in God.
PRAYER:
Lord, help us never to forget that we are Your children. Heal our hearts from jealousy, fear, doubt, and everything that draws us away from You.
Teach us to live in faith and in the assurance of Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Apostle Dr. Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA