Living Changed: IdentitySample

Labels

Labels are a necessity. They help us make sense of our busy and confusing world. The problem is when we allow worldly labels, negative or positive, to define us. 

Negative labels such as “lazy” or “failure” strip us of our godly power and leave only fear in its place. Fear leads us to believe that we are our mistakes or what others have labeled us. Ultimately, it alters the way we perceive ourselves and interact with others.

Even seemingly positive labels can have negative effects. For example, the labels “beautiful” or “smart” can strip away our reliance on God and be replaced with self-righteousness. We may come to have confidence in our own ability and beauty and, deep down in places we don’t even know about, begin to believe that we don’t need God. 

For years, I fought the label “blunt” because I saw it as negative. I even used it to further label myself “unworthy to be used by God.” One day, it dawned on me to ask God for insight. He revealed that I was blunt but that it wasn’t a bad quality. Yes, this gift could use refining, but it truly was a gift. Instead of fighting my labels, I started to allow God to help me discern which ones to refine and which ones to overcome. 

Learning to recognize and deal with our labels is an important part of living out our God-given identity. The process starts with realizing that worldly labels, even if they are based on facts, do not define us. God does. People judge what they can see, but God looks where only He can see—into our hearts and souls. His truth is the only permanent label in our lives. When we grasp this concept, we can start to evaluate our labels and learn from them.

What are the worldly labels that you have attached to your life? 

As you write these down, ask God to show you which ones to overcome and which ones to refine.