God Knows You By Your Name

"Satan knows you by your sin, but God knows you by your name." I heard that phrase one day when I was listening to this pastor. That phrase jumped out at me so loudly because I could relate to it so much. 

The fact that Satan knows us by our sin should be very eye-opening to us. Satan is the deceiver; he prowls around like a lion waiting to destroy us. He wants to kill, steal and destroy ... it's written in the Bible. It's a fact. 

Satan is the one who stirs up strife and sin in our lives. He is the conductor of confusion. He is the greatest actor who can entice us and make us believe his lies are true and real. He has power on this earth for a time and knows us by our sin. So if he knows us by our sin and he is all I just said above, then you better believe he is the one behind eating disorders … of all kinds. He is behind all addictions, mental/eating disorders, and problems/corruption of today. 

I know there are a million different things that fuel an ED, but what or who do you think is the one that puts the coal on the fire of our EDs? What or who do you think is the engine that drives our EDs or addictions? If Satan knows us by our sin, it means he knows our weaknesses. He knows where he can get us. I was a sensitive, tender-hearted, anxious, stubborn, determined and tenacious child - all perfect qualities to fuel an ED. And Satan knew that. He knew I was a people pleaser and knew I was an anxious, prideful girl ... he knew it. So I suffered from anorexia and, later on, bulimia. 

I'm not trying to sound like a broken record, but it is vital that we know what our enemy knows. Satan knows us by our sin. And his endgame is to kill us. So he saw my sin and my nature and knew an ED could ultimately kill me. That's what he does. For you, it may be drug addiction, alcohol, money, pornography, depression, anxiety, a desire to control, anger, jealousy, pride ... you name it. It could be any of the above ... but whatever it is, Satan knows which could lead you to death. 

Satan knows us by our sin ... but! God knows us by our name!!

Did you read that?! Well, read it again ... God knows us by our name! 

How encouraging and hopeful is that?!! Even just writing about the enemy is hard for me, but it's frighteningly enough the truth. But! The darkness flees when light abounds!! 

God knows us by our name. God sees me for who I am in Christ. He knows the qualities He gave me from before I was born. He knew I'd be a sensitive, tender-hearted, anxious, stubborn, determined and tenacious child. He knew that. He created that in me since before the world began. He knew I'd struggle with an ED and knew what my journey would be. It was no surprise to Him. 

He died for my life and my sin. He died so that I could have life in Him ... so that I didn't have to die from anorexia. 

He knows us by our name. What hope lies in that phrase! What joy and freedom and life lives in that phrase!! I can live because Jesus knows my name, and He chose to die for me ... and He did the same for you. 

God knows me ... Natalie Hall. And God knows you. He knows your name. He knows your path. He knows what your journey has been and what it will be. He died so that you can have life and victory and recovery. He can and will save you from whatever eating disorder, addiction or mental disorder you struggle with!! That's a promise!! I know it's true because I have lived it. He knows how you are designed. He knows the very fabric of your being. He wrote out your DNA and knows every hair on your head. So whatever you are going through, He can and will bring you to complete freedom, joy, life, hope and victory!!

If you are seeking victory and recovery today, then let that phrase wash over your mind and know ... really know ... that God knows you by your name. Be aware that Satan knows you by your sin, but this should encourage you not to listen to the lies. Listen to the truth and know that you are known, worthy, accepted and loved by God ... the One who knows you by your name.

~ Natalie