In the lexicon article Legacy & Legitimacy, I shared that we are created to leave a legacy. That is a heartening truth for anyone who has wondered what on earth they’re here for.
For the more gregarious and eager beaver types among us, that may be all the ‘permission’ they need to set about creating a legacy.
On the flip side, that same statement has the power to evoke pushback in ways as varied as the portions of one’s spirit that are less dominant, dormant, marginalized, or undeveloped.
In either case, a redemptive gift’s strengths and weaknesses may come flooding to the forefront, fueled by a need for, or felt lack of, affirmation and legitimacy. Enter the legitimacy lies that snare and entrap us when we draw our legitimacy from what we do instead of who we are –
designed by God to draw our legitimacy from Him alone.
From Whence Comes my Legitimacy?
The study of the redemptive gifts is somewhat akin to peering into the wonders of all that God placed within when He thought of you and me before the foundation of the world. Far more, however, than looking at ourselves as though in a redemptive gifts mirror, is the wonderment that takes hold as we learn to recognize the essence of God himself that He selectively chose to be reflected in and expressed through our individuality. When all is said and done, His word (DNA) will never pass away. It is eternal.
Had Satan not succeeded with his deception in Eden, there would be no need to address this issue of legitimacy lies. Instead, the father of lies effectively distorted the truth that we are legitimate because God loves us; not to mention He designed us to express facets of Himself in our specific place and time.
The day their spiritually pure eyes were opened to the impurity Satan embodies, Adam and Eve were the first to experience the bondage that comes when we choose to believe lies about our legitimacy.
First, what we do doesn’t cause God to love us. Doubt was introduced changing the course of humanity.
Second, when we don’t seek and find our legitimacy in God, we look for it from other sources: other people or our accomplishments.
Third, we begin to believe we are only legitimate when we do things (perform/please) or achieve certain levels of accomplishment. We become prone to believe and act upon the legitimacy lies that support the outward actions and behaviors we, in error, think are required in order to be legitimate in others’ eyes. Somewhere along the progression, the perfect and accepting love of God takes a backseat.
Blessings, Curses, and Legitimacy Lies
God is a God of blessing. Recall with me that He did not curse Adam and Eve; He blessed them. His curses were pronounced upon the serpent, the Deceiver of old; and because of Adam, upon the ground.
Each redemptive gift has a corresponding legitimacy lie birthed through the serpent’s deception. Thus, these lies serve as the foundations of the seven curses that can destroy our birthright and calling.
In the same way the seven redemptive gifts have a corresponding legitimacy lie, so each redemptive gift has a distinct type of curse and blessing from the Word of God. The seven curses are drawn from the seven enemies of Israel present in the Promised Land, whom the people of Israel were to overcome. These seven enemies in the land are listed in the book of Judges. (A self-study opportunity for now).
Blessing (or as noted in this website, redemptive living) is exampled through biblical people whose actions were directly opposite the accursed actions of Israel’s enemies. Coming in the opposite spirit.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses.
Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make.
Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him,
and committing yourself firmly to him. This[a] is the key to your life. ([a] He)
Deuteronomy 30:19-20a (NLT)
The Seven Redemptive Gifts and Their Legitimacy Lies
The following list identifies the legitimacy lie that corresponds to each of the seven portions of our spirit. Also listed are the seven enemies of Israel recounted in Judges, and a biblical person who embodied for us a present-day example of the blessing needed to choose life and not death, blessings not curses. Not only for our overcoming life, but the lives of our descendants as well. Such is the love of our LORD God.
Prophet: “I can solve my own problems and fix things better than God. I am legitimate when I fix things.”
Aramean curse. Blessing of Hosea.
Servant: “I am legitimate when I build a platform of success under others.” (This is a savior mentality.)
Moabite curse. Blessing of Esther.
Teacher: “I know the truth, and it gives me power. I am legitimate when I have complete and accurate information. I am legitimate when I am right or have knowledge.”
Philistine curse. Blessing of Daniel.
Exhorter: “I am legitimate when people want and need to be around me.”
Canaanite curse. Blessing of Moses.
Giver: “I can provide the resources for others to possess their birthright. I am legitimate when I am needed by my family.” (This can create co-dependency.)
Midianite curse. Blessing of Job.
Ruler: “I am legitimate when I am over people, and I have institutional authority.”
Jotham’s curse. Blessing of Nehemiah.
Mercy: “I am legitimate when I have earned God’s or people’s favor through self-sacrifice.”
Ammonite curse. Blessing of John (the beloved disciple of Jesus, receiver of The Revelation)
May the fullness of God’s blessing rest upon you as you incline your heart to choose life.
~ Nancy
Click here for a printable PDF of this article: Redemptive Gifts Lexicon – Legitimacy Lies
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