Even after we become Christians and make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we still struggle with sin, and it is that sin that makes it so hard to discover who we are, and what God has in store for us. This sin blinds us from our true Identities. Romans 8:1-14 talks about this very battle that we will continue to struggle with for the rest of our lives, the battle between the flesh (sinful nature) and the Spirit.
Romans 8:5-6, 12-13 Reads:
“5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
We struggle just trying to discover our identities, and we continue to ask ourselves… “Who am I?” We begin to start labeling ourselves “I am …” We fill in the blanks with all sorts of things, and often times we are just setting ourselves up for failure. The apostle Paul also speaks of these things in Romans 7:15 when he says: “I don’t understand the things I do. For the things I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do I do.”
It is not easy being Christian, but it is completely worth it. In order for us to discover our identities, and who we are we must:
- Flee Irresponsibility
Flee from the sins in our lives that are setting us up for failure. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are destined to fail, like visiting a girlfriend/boyfriend when her parents are gone, surfing the Net when no one is around, and the list goes on.
- Think Spiritually
- Live Biblically
Determine in your heart right now to live a blameless life, where “your heart is fixed on Jesus and your mind centered on God’s Word.” (W.A. Criswell)
Split into small groups, and select the top 10 most relevant issues that teens are facing today that is preventing them from discovering their identities out of a list of 50 issues. Select the #1 and discuss why.
