Brooke Ligertwood’s song, “Who You Say I Am,” speaks of the powerful truth that rises out of John 8:32. Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” As believers, we can rest in this powerful freedom. Jesus continues in John 8:36 to remind us that “if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” As children of God, we are invited to live in this freedom that is only found in Christ.
Labels. People love to place them on us.
Growing up, some of the most discouraging encounters I experienced were those that included having negative words spoken over me. Notably, one of my best friends told me that I would never do well in college because “I didn’t have the brains for it.” This scarred me for a really long time. Another friend told me marriage wasn’t for me because I wasn’t “manly enough.”
I walked around with the labels—“foolish” and “not manly enough”—written all over me for years.
The song “Who You Say I Am” by Brooke Ligertwood, speaks of our identity in Christ. Identity is a big buzz word in our culture today. See, when we don’t understand our proper identity, we rely on others for insight. When my friend told me I didn’t have the brains to go to college, I questioned it too. Eventually, I asked my friends and family if they thought I had what it takes to make it in life. Why did I do this? Because I trusted the labels other people placed on me. I asked myself, “Who am I?” I asked others, “Who do you think I am?” I wanted to know what people thought of me, because if other people treated me as if I mattered, then maybe I would believe that I actually did.
The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve learned that I don’t have to wait for people to tell me I matter, because Jesus tells me I am accepted, loved and valued. And His opinion is the only one that is important. We can allow the world to define us, or we can let the Creator of the universe tell us who we are. I now ask myself, “Whose voice am I listening to—the world’s or the Word’s? Who is building me up—culture or Christ?” If we’re not careful, we will live for people’s acceptance.
Make a decision today to replace negative words spoken over you with the truth of God’s Word. And remember the message found in the lyrics of "Who You Say I Am" by Brooke Ligertwood: “I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am. You are for me, not against me. I am who You say I am.”
Declare your identity today. You are a child of God!
DIGGING DEEPER:
- What labels have people given you in the past?
- What does God say about you? Replace any lies from the world with the truth of God’s Word.
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Psalm 139:14 (NLT)
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If you need prayer or you would like to talk with a K-LOVE Pastor, we are here to serve you. Call us at 844-364-4673 (hope).
