Today, identity is a topic found everywhere. The lack of clarity about identity, and the identity crisis that many people experience, can lead them to fall into the trap of a false identity: they pretend to be something that they are not. Satan wants you to pretend to be what you are not. He knows that your identity in Christ will make you someone he cannot defeat, and that is why he tries his best to make you develop a false identity.
Three temptations that Satan offered Jesus and the false identity
Pastor and author Peter Scazzero, in his writing on emotionally healthy leadership, reflects on the three temptations that Satan offered Jesus after He was baptized, during His 40 days of fasting (Luke 4:1-13). These are the same three temptations, or false identities, that we experience today, and they can lead us into an identity crisis.
1. I am what I do (Achievements)
In Luke 4:1-4, Satan told Jesus to turn stones into bread so that He could prove He was God’s Son. Those who minister from a broken identity find their identity in what they do.
They find their identity and dignity at work, in what they accomplish, and in how they perform. Our culture asks us what goals we have achieved in life, how useful we have proved to be, and what our job is. Many people consider themselves valuable only if they have achieved significant success in family, work, school, church, and relationships.
For example, the pastor who does not have a well-defined identity and thinks that his pastoral identity is defined by his performance will question his identity, especially when he does not reach the number of members attending on Saturdays, or the number of people he believes he needs to have to be a successful pastor.
Or, if he does not reach the number of tithes or baptisms, or the administrative position in the conference that he has longed for so long, he will question his identity because, for him, it is focused on his performance and not on the call that God has given him.
2. I am what I have (Possessions)
In Luke 4:5-8, Satan told Jesus that he would give Him everything he showed Him if He worshiped him. “I am what I possess” is part of the dominant idea of personal identity today. We define ourselves by what we possess, whether things we own or the earthly things with which we fill our lives.
Advertising works hard to convince even children and teenagers that their identity depends on certain toys, clothes, or devices, and as adults we keep measuring ourselves by comparison. I am a good pastor if I have a big church. I am a good pastor if I work in the conference offices because I got to the place where I wanted to be. I am a good pastor if I have a doctorate, a good car, and a good house, and if my children have gotten a good university degree.
3. I am what others think I am (Popularity)
In Luke 4:9-13, Satan told Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, inviting Him to let popularity define His ministry. When we get carried away by popularity, we let other people’s opinions define who we are. Our self-image is elevated by a compliment and devastated by criticism. These are primary markers that the world, influenced by Satan, uses to measure success.
Hence humanity uses these same things to define itself and its self-esteem. This does not mean that what we do, what we minister, or what our testimony is to others is not important. But at the center of our being, these things are not part of the identity God has given us.
Many of us give more value to what others think than to what Jesus thinks of us. Living with a broken identity can show up as fear, manipulation, possessiveness, self-promotion, and self-destruction.
Maybe we remain trapped in a pretend life out of an unhealthy concern for what other people think. We define our identity based on the “likes” or followers we have on social networks. We define the success of our worship service based on the number of people watching our programs online. In other words, we believe that if we are popular in church and followed by many people, then we are a good pastor.
If the pressure to prove yourself leaves you anxious or exhausted, it is wise to talk with someone you trust, and also with a counselor. Faith and professional care can work together.
In which of these three areas, what you do, what you have, or what others think, do you feel the strongest pull to define who you are?
Would you like to talk with a professional? Call (407) 559-7093 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern) or find professional help here. For general questions that are not an emergency, write to drduany@zodugroup.com. Please do not send health information by email.
This article is for education only. It does not offer diagnosis or personal advice, does not replace evaluation or treatment by a health professional, and reading it or writing to us through this site does not create a therapeutic or pastoral counseling relationship. This site is not an emergency service and is not monitored continuously: do not send health information through comments or public forms. The author is a licensed psychotherapist and pastor, and is part of ZODU.
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