We Are Not All Children of Elohim
One of the most dangerous lies whispered into the ears of this generation is the claim that all people are children of God. It sounds comforting. It feels inclusive. It makes sinners feel safe in their rebellion and churches seem welcoming to the masses. But it is not the truth. Scripture tells a different story, and it does not bend to make us feel better about ourselves. The Word draws a sharp dividing line: some are children of Elohim, and others are children of the devil. There is no middle ground.
Yes, all humanity was created by Elohim. Genesis says, “So Elohim created man in His own image; in the image of Elohim He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) We were all made in His image, but creation and adoption are not the same thing. Being created by Him does not mean you belong to Him. Paul speaks plainly to this in his letter to the Ephesians: “Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh… and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” (Ephesians 2:3) If all men and women are automatically “children of God,” then why does Scripture label the unredeemed as children of wrath? The truth is simple but sobering—until a person is born again through Yeshua, they remain outside the family of Elohim.
Yeshua Himself shattered the universal fatherhood lie. In John 8, He confronted the most religious men of His day—the Pharisees. They prided themselves on their heritage, on being sons of Abraham, but Yeshua cut through their claims: “If Elohim were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from Elohim… Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” (John 8:42–44) Imagine how offensive those words were to men who thought their bloodline secured them favor with YHWH. Yet Yeshua did not soften His tone or try to build bridges. He spoke truth. Some belong to Elohim. Others belong to satan. That is still true today.
Adoption into the family of Elohim happens only through Yeshua the Messiah. Galatians declares, “For you are all sons of Elohim through faith in Messiah Yeshua.” (Galatians 3:26) Faith in Him is the doorway. No one sneaks in through religion, morality, or bloodline. Romans echoes this reality: “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) The Ruach HaKodesh Himself seals our adoption. Before that moment of surrender, we are strangers, foreigners, even enemies of Elohim. After that moment, we are brought into the household of faith as true sons and daughters.
The Scriptures do not call unbelievers “children of God.” Instead, they use sharper, harder words: children of wrath, children of disobedience, children of darkness. Paul reminded the Colossians that without Messiah, they were “alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works.” (Colossians 1:21) To the Thessalonians, he drew the contrast: “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5) If believers are sons of light, then what does that make unbelievers? Sons of darkness.
How This Lie Crept In
The idea that “we are all God’s children” didn’t start in Scripture it started in philosophy and liberal theology. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the rise of universalism began to influence Western pulpits. Universalists argued that God’s love was so broad that eventually all people would be saved, regardless of faith or repentance. In America, this soft gospel merged with cultural Christianity to produce a comfortable doctrine: God is everyone’s Father, and nobody is truly in danger.
By the mid-20th century, this language had moved beyond universalism into mainstream church culture. Preachers discovered that “you’re already God’s child” drew crowds and kept people in pews. It made everyone feel included without the offense of repentance. At the same time, public schools, media, and even politics began speaking of a vague, general “God” who fathered the nation. Instead of calling for people to be born again, leaders simply told people to “remember we’re all God’s children.” That phrase became a political slogan and a cultural comfort, but it was never biblical truth.
The fruit of this compromise is visible everywhere. People who live in open rebellion against YHWH still claim Him as “Father.” Entire churches avoid the word “repent” yet still insist that everyone belongs to God. This is not the gospel. It is deception.
Covenant Language: Sons by Blood and Spirit
From the beginning, sonship has always been covenantal. YHWH told Israel, “You are the children of YHWH your Elohim.” (Deuteronomy 14:1) But this was spoken to a covenant people, not to the pagan nations. It was exclusive, built on relationship and obedience.
In Hebrew, the word ben means son. It carried the weight of inheritance, lineage, and covenant rights. A ben was not simply a child by birth but a continuation of the father’s name and household. In the Greek of the New Testament, the same concept carries forward. Tekna refers to children, natural offspring. Huios is used of mature sons, those entrusted with inheritance. And huiothesia—adoption—means to be legally placed as a son with full rights under Roman law. This was not casual language. It meant a transfer of authority and inheritance.
When John writes, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of Elohim, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12), the word “right” is exousia legal authority. Only Yeshua gives this authority. Without Him, no one can make the claim. To call Elohim “Father” without the blood of Yeshua is to forge adoption papers.
Evidence of Sonship
So who are the true children of Elohim? Scripture answers clearly. Those who are led by the Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are sons of Elohim.” (Romans 8:14) Those who practice righteousness: “Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of Elohim, nor is he who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:10) Those who have received Yeshua in truth: “To them He gave the right to become children of Elohim.” (John 1:12)
John makes the contrast unavoidable: “In this the children of Elohim and the children of the devil are manifest.” (1 John 3:10) It becomes obvious who belongs to which household. Look at the fruit. Look at the obedience. Look at the Spirit that leads them. Neutrality does not exist. You are either of Elohim or of satan.
The Stakes of Preaching Wrongly
This is why we must not water down the gospel. If we tell people they are already God’s children, we rob them of the urgency of repentance. We hand them false assurance while they march toward judgment. Real love does not lie. Real love tells the truth even when it offends.
That is why Peter stood boldly at Pentecost and declared: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Yeshua Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Repentance and surrender to Yeshua is the doorway into adoption. Anything else is a counterfeit.
Deliverance and Legal Authority
This truth also matters deeply in deliverance. Demons recognize authority. If a person has not truly changed fathers, they remain under satan’s legal claim. That is why so many so-called deliverances fail because the person has never truly been adopted by Elohim. They are still walking in rebellion while claiming His name. Only the blood covenant of Yeshua removes the devil’s rights. Adoption secures covering. Without it, the enemy still has access.
The Final Separation
At the end of the age, this line will be clear. Yeshua said the angels will separate the sons of the kingdom from those who cause offense. “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:43) Notice again their Father. Not everyone’s. Only theirs. Only those who belong to Him through covenant.
This is why Yeshua also warned: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Words are not enough. Church membership is not enough. Even baptism without repentance is not enough. The evidence of adoption is obedience, holiness, and the indwelling of the Spirit.
A Call to Examine Ourselves
We live in a time when false assurance is everywhere. People are told they are safe because they attend a service, because they prayed a shallow prayer once, or because they believe in a vague “God.” But the Word says otherwise. Paul warned, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) The mark of true children is the Spirit’s witness and the fruit of righteousness.
This message should not discourage us it should wake us up. It should stir urgency. The harvest is plentiful, but many believe they are already sons when they are not. If we truly love souls, we will not pat them on the back and tell them “you’re already His child.” We will look them in the eye and say, “You must be born again.”
A Prayer of Adoption
If you find yourself unsure, if you have claimed Elohim as Father but lived in rebellion, today is the day to repent. Today is the day to be born again, not by religion or by works, but by surrender to Yeshua.
Pray:
“YHWH, I confess that I have lived as a stranger and an enemy. I have claimed You as Father while serving sin. Today I repent. I turn from rebellion, from pride, from self-rule. I receive Yeshua, Your Son, as my Savior and King. By His blood I ask to be washed clean. By Your Spirit I ask to be adopted as Your child. Write my name in Your book. Seal me with the Ruach HaKodesh. From this day forward I will live as a son/daughter of Elohim. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.”
We must reject this false doctrine once and for all. We must stop comforting people with lies that lead to destruction. We must return to the truth: only those who repent, believe in Yeshua, and receive the Spirit are children of Elohim. That truth may sting, but it saves. It may offend, but it rescues. It demands a response.
So I leave you with the question every soul must answer: Who is your Father? If it is Elohim, then your life should prove it. If not, today is the day to change fathers. Only then can you truly lift your voice and cry, Abba, Father.
About the Author
Shannon Perry is the co-founder of God’s Princess Warriors Ministry in Cleveland, Texas. After walking through addiction, deliverance, and the tragic loss of her son, she answered the call to equip the end-time remnant for spiritual warfare. Shannon leads Remnant Bootcamp, a 52-lesson deliverance and discipleship series designed as a war manual for those trapped in deception, bondage, and false doctrine. You can find her live on TikTok @Godsprincesswarriors777 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. CST. For ministry inquiries or prayer requests, email remnantwarriors@gmail.com.