All Weekly Sharpening Posts

April 6, 2022

Five Lies of Identity

I recently discovered the “Five Lies of Identity” according to Henri Nouwen:

I am what I have.

I am what I do.

I am what other people say or think about me.

I am nothing more than my worst moment.

I am nothing less than my best moment.

“We are not what we do, we are not what we have, we are not what others think of us.  Coming home is claiming the truth.  I am the beloved child of a loving creator.” 

Which lie(s) do you most often believe?

More than I care to admit, I fall victim to the lies that “I am what I do” and “I am what other people say or think about me.”

Both mess with my head, and if I’m not careful, I make decisions based on how these lies make me feel.  I no longer trust the Holy Spirit to guide me into action.  Rather, I seek validation in my accomplishments hoping that they will make me look good.   There’s no peace in this, just a scramble to do more and do it well.  When I live in this headspace, I fail to rest in the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father.

Spend some time repenting of the lies you believe about your identity.  Lay them at the foot of the cross and receive the love and grace of Jesus, who died for you and set you free.

This is coming home.

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Lots of opportunities for men coming up.  Learn about them HERE.