Hello and welcome to Pathway to Freedom by the Life by Design. I'm your host, Verita Harry, also known as Vee, and I'm so glad you're here. This podcast is a space for us to uncover God's original blueprint for life so you can walk in the freedom He intended for you from the very beginning. Each week, we'll explore faith, family, finances, health, purpose, and much more. Why? Because you were created in his image on purpose and for purpose. Be sure to follow so you never miss an episode. I'm your host. And today we're diving into an important topic, the truth about the beginning, why identity matters. Today's episode is a cornerstone message that will shape everything we will explore in the coming weeks. Before we dive into the truth about our identity series, we need to go back to the beginning in Genesis to understand why it matters, how we lost our identity. our identity and the incredible way God made for us to reclaim it. In other words, because to know who you are, you must first understand why you were created, what went wrong, and how God made a way for restoration. In the very beginning, God created mankind in his image, beautiful, intentional, and full of purpose. Genesis 1.20 26-28 tells us that he gave us dominion, authority to rule over the earth in partnership with him. We were designed to reflect his nature, to walk in perfect intimacy with him, and to steward his creation with love and wisdom. But something happened. When Adam disobeyed God, that divine authority was handed over. Sin entered the world and with it came brokenness, separation, and pain. And what was once ours, dominion, was surrendered. And the enemy stepped in to take what man forfeited. Hear me, what man forfeited. Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 4, verse 4, Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the good news. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. This is the world we're born into. One where the enemy works tirelessly to keep us blind, lost, and disconnected from the truth. We are born into a nature that stands in opposition to God. That's why this world is filled with hatred, deception, fear, pain, evil, and everything that contradicts who God is. But Satan is not just a deceiver He is defeated. His destiny is sealed. He can never be redeemed and he knows it. So his mission is to cause us to search for purpose, meaning, and identity everywhere else except in the one who made us. He wants to keep us from ever discovering who we are and what was purchased for us through Christ Jesus. But God, our creator, full of compassion sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us. Through his sacrifice, a pathway was made for forgiveness, redemption, and new life. When we accept Jesus as Lord, the spirit man comes alive. We are no longer separated. We are reconciled. And not only that, but we are also gifted the Holy Spirit. He becomes our comforter. He is our helper. He is our daily guide. He renews our minds, strengthens our hearts, and reminds us of the truth. We are no longer who we once were. Knowing who you are and whose you are is essential in this world. Because without identity, the enemy can convince you that you are powerless, unworthy, and alone. But when you know you are a child of God, of the Most High, a chosen one, born with purpose and divine authority, you began to walk differently. You began to live boldly. You don't live in fear. You don't bow to the lies. You stand in truth and declare, if God is for me, who can be against me? That is Romans chapter 8, verse 31. There is no matter He reigns above all. And he's calling you to reclaim your true identity. Not one shaped by your past, by this broken world, or by lies, but one rooted in his truth, his love, and his design. This is why identity matters. This is why the enemy fights so hard to distort it. Because if you ever truly knew who you were in Christ, everything would change. It's time for a change. So before we begin our upcoming series on identity, I want you to sit with this truth. You were created for dominion. You were born into a world of deception. But through Christ, you can be reborn into truth, power, and purpose. It's It's time to know who you are. If today's episode encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs this message. Until next time, walk boldly in his design and embrace the freedom he intended for you.