Defining Identity

Identity is a precious thing. Knowing who we identify with is important. Knowing who we identify in is imperative. Where we are defined is how our identity is shaped.

The words people say to us can shape our lives. The actions of people can impact us, so much so, that they dictate how we perceive ourselves. The impressions we perceive that people have about us, whether those perceptions are true or not, can shape who we think we are. We can be vulnerable to the assertions of other people if we don’t know where to define ourselves first.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NLT)

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 

People can call us names that, in fact, have nothing to do with us and everything to do with themselves. I like to call these "Monsters of Recognition." We have to be careful not to pick these up and carry them, just because someone else said so. We need to reject those rejections of us, because they're not the truth, they're just being used to hurt our soul.

That’s why it’s the most important thing in life to listen to the words of Jesus.

He says, find your identity in me. I tell you who you are. I say who you are. Not anyone else. Don’t listen to other people when they run you down and speak badly to you or about you, or about me. Take your position in me and put up your shield of righteousness and your shield of faith, put on your helmet of salvation, lift up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, able to cut between soul and spirit. Lift up my righteous standard that is in you against everything that takes it’s stand against you and the knowledge of Jesus Christ in your life.

Isaiah 43:1 (NLT)

the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

The need for a ransom is when someone has been kidnapped and then requires payment for that person’s release. Sin kidnapped us in identifying against God instead of identifying with God and His definition of life for us. But Jesus Christ paid the ransom by His death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven where He is now enthroned and calls us by name to re-identify us back into Him.

This is what HE declares:

I say you are worthy. I say you are accepted. I say you are loved and lovable. I say you are tremendously gifted and I know, because I gave you those gifts even before you were born, and I have a destiny for you. I have a plan and a purpose for your life that I don’t want the words or actions of other people stealing from you. When other people do that, they distort what I say you are, what I have set your life to be. And you must know this. It’s not them. The devil, the avenger, is at work through them – just as I want to be at work through you. He is the accuser, the father of lies who is really at work in people who challenge who I’ve created you to be. So don’t spend a minute listening to lies. Listen to me and feed on my Words. My Words give you life. I am The Word made flesh and I am the author and giver of life. Run to me and find your identity in me. Let me define who you are, who you were created to be.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLV)

For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.

That’s why I can say, He makes me unashamed even in my weakness. I can say I am full and whole even when the emotional damage done by others to me is still being mended. Jesus heals. Jesus saves. I find my identity in Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (GNT)

"My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

Jesus calls me by name and asks me to step up into His plan, His purpose and His permissions. I learn not to permit others to say who I am, to speak over my life, or mark my life if it doesn’t agree with the knowledge of Jesus Christ in my life.

2 Corinthians 10:7-8 (NIV)

You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

Get to know who you are in Christ. Get to know what He says about you and who He has made you to be. He knew who He created you to be before you were even born (Jeremiah 1:5). You were born the way you were because you are meant to be that way. All the things that have been stolen from you along the way that confuse your identity and snatch your peace of mind are not from God. They are from the father of lies who seeks to steal your life.

John 10:10 (TLB)

The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

2 Peter 3:17-18 (GNT)

But you, my friends, already know this. Be on your guard, then, so that you will not be led away by the errors of lawless people and fall from your safe position. But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.