For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15 NKJV

In Genesis Chapters 16-21, we see the account of Abraham, the father of Ishmael and Isaac. Here are some takeaways from the scripture.

1. God’s promise of Isaac
2. Abraham went into covenant with the future symbol of slavery when he had relations with an Egyptian woman Hagar
3. Hagar comes on the scene with Ishmael
4. God has a name change for Abraham and Sarah – Symbolic identity change.
5. A new covenant was invoked through circumcision, & then the promise arrived
6. You must get an identity change before the promise arrives
7. Hagar and Ishmael begin to persecute Sarah & Isaac
8. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away

The orphaned identity persecutes the child of God identity.

The orphaned identity is in direct conflict with God’s promises for His children.

One of the highest honors we could worship God with is to Treat Him as a good and faithful Father!

What you believe activates that realm of power in your life. Share on X

Battle of belief

What you believe activates that realm of power in your life.  

The first thing satan tries to attack with Jesus was His identity as a child of God (Matthew 4:3).

Are you a child of God or not? You’re either a child of God or an orphan. The enemy’s main goal is to lure you away from a “Child of God” based identity and into the slave camp, eating from the orphan’s table.

Our Good Father paid the ultimate price; Jesus paid the ultimate price for you to bear this title “God’s Child,” no longer an “Orphan or Slave”.

Satan would have no greater joy than to interrupt this identity. That is what he does.

“Are You My Dad” Identity Crisis

1. The world is looking for fatherhood and will take on the identity of anyone or anything willing to adopt them, no matter how sick, perverted, or twisted they may be. Are you my dad? Are you the one I’m going to find purpose, connection, community, and identity through?

2. The orphan spirit accepts the affection of any voice.

3. Your gracious Father in Heaven will allow whatever false identity you’ve been adopted by to be dismantled so you can find your true identity in Him.

5. God will do whatever it takes to claim you and adopt you as His very own, and it’s to your benefit!

The orphan spirit refers to a spirit of poverty, encompassing spiritual, financial, and mental aspects. It’s an insult to God because He’s a good Father and Great Provider!

 The orphan spirit accepts the affection of any voice. Share on X

The Remedy – Jesus

Jesus came to show us how to be sons again and what that looks like. Let’s look to Him and His examples for wisdom, inspiration, and direction so we can break off the orphan tendencies.

Jesus as the perfect Son

Trust –  everything about a true child of God identity can be summed up by this word: TRUST.

1. The ultimate form of trust is resting, even in times of trouble and great danger.

2. Jesus rested in the boat because of trust.

2. Rest is one of the highest forms of worship. It’s evident if you trust God.

3. He didn’t have to maintain an image or manufacture some spiritual ritual or exercise; He slept.

Surrender And Abandonment of Control

In times of Gethsemane, remember God is a good Father, “Nevertheless ,Thy will be done”.

Have a no-Ishmaels policy! Arm yourself with the same mindset that God will bring you what you need. You don’t need to make covenants with Egypt or look to my flesh to produce what God has promised.

No need to prove myself

Temptation to adopt an identity contrary to the purpose and call of God on our lives.

Patience  – Willingness to wait – not be a brat, throwing a fit or temper tantrum if I don’t get what I want when I want it.

Live by Faith – Everything must first be lived out by faith, believing without seeing. This includes even denying present circumstances unless they agree with God’s Word and will.

You have to start out in faith to see the result happen later. Walk by faith not sight.

Conviction – through God I have more than enough. He’s Jehovah Jireh; He will provide.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” – Romans 8:31-32 NKJV

Fear Broken – The ultimate litmus test for the orphan spirit losing its power is fear being lifted out of your life. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear is always expecting punishment, trouble, guilty judgment, and condemnation.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

Conclusion

• Adopt a firm & thorough rejection of anything other than sonship of God.
• I’m not going to insult my Father; He is good. Everything must be rooted in this revelation
• Everything Jesus did was so you could be connected to His Father.
• Everything Jesus did was so that we could have a right relationship with His Father.
• Everything the Holy Spirit does is to glorify Jesus so you can believe in Him, be forgiven, and be in right standing with God as a Good Father.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.” – Jeremiah 29:11-14

Jesus came to show us how to be sons again and what that looks like. Share on X

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