Truly understanding our identity in Christ, and owning it like a boss, leads to being a princess versus a pawn; empowered versus excluded; and victorious versus victimized.
The trick, however, is having a clear and truthful picture of our identity. This requires focusing on God’s truth, and our identity in Christ, versus our own beliefs, perspectives, and experiences.
Why is this so vital? And what are the consequences if we don’t? Join me (for episode #81) as I share three, interconnected answers to those very questions - and much more!
Show Notes:
Intro
The tagline for this podcast is: “Female identity, authority, and freedom in Christ.” When I devised that statement, I put those keywords - identity, authority, and freedom - in a specific order.
Why? Because understanding our identity in Christ is what leads to owning our authority in Christ. Once we understand who we are, we’re also going to recognize (and want to utilize) the authority He’s given us. This, then, naturally leads to freedom. We’re no longer captives of our past, lies we’ve believed, tricks or attacks the Enemy has played…instead, we’re free in Christ, empowered, and a force to be reckoned with.
But it all starts with our identity. And the key is to understand our identity through God’s truth, and how He sees us and what He’s given us, versus our own limited perception. I’m not saying we’re not smart, perceptive ladies. But unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can cloud or misinform our picture of our identity.
Some of these things come from others. Things people have said to us about us; how they’ve treated us; things we’ve taught as though they were Biblical truths (when they’re not); and so on.
And some of these things come from ourselves. Things we’ve chosen to believe about ourselves - even if it’s not something someone suggested, but something we just inferred and decided to accept as a truth or limitation. And, as a result, it’s holding us back.
I’m not going to dive into these specific blockers (as we would say in the business world) within this episode. I’ve covered such topics in many of my other episodes - especially when it comes to debunking inaccurate teachings of the Bible where women are concerned. So, if you’re interested in digging deeper after this episode, I highly recommend browsing the rest of the podcast library to help supplement your growth in specific areas.
Today, in this episode, I want to focus on why it’s so important to see and build your identity through God’s lens. To dig into those more granular topics; learn what the Bible - and thus God - actually says about our identity as Christian women. (And Christians in general.) And to actively work to recognize and uproot any lies or other impediments to who you really are - and what you can achieve.
So, let’s look at three reasons as to why this is so important.
Reason #1: Focusing on God’s True Character and His Desires for You Will Help to Combat and Eliminate the Lies Blocking Your Progress
And again, these lies or misbeliefs can take many forms. They could be lies the Enemy has made you believe; lies stemming from what other people have said or done; misrepresentations of Biblical texts, especially those regarding women; misunderstandings, bad teaching, or a lack of knowledge about God’s character; and basically anything you’ve come to believe about God or yourself that simply isn’t true.
Now, I don’t mean for this list to sound overwhelming or hopeless. You could be facing one or two of these things - or all of them. Regardless of the number, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are standing ready to help you work through - and past - all of these. (In a timeline and manner that aligns with what you can handle at any given time.)
But as I mentioned a minute ago, actively working to understand your true identity - based on God’s character and how He sees you - will only lead to positive change.
In so many ways, the Enemy and the world wants to limit women. And one of the best ways to accomplish that is to skew our real identity. To make us feel powerless instead of powerful, for example. Even in the big “C” church where patriarchal views and teaching have worked in tandem with cultural views instead of helping us to understand and own our freedom in Christ - and be the women God created us to be, helping to transform the world and make the Enemy quake in his boots.
I’m not saying every pastor and church falls into this category - but a lot have. So, to help empower ourselves, as women we need to actively pursue God’s truth - real, Biblical truth - instead of accepting whatever we hear. No matter where it’s coming from. No leader or pastor has more authority than Jesus or our Heavenly Father.
Pursuing truth - both when it comes to God’s true character and view of His daughters as well as the Scriptures - will only lead to freedom.
Which leads me to my second point….
Reason #2: How We Pursue and Understand our Identity in Christ is the Difference Between Being a Princess or a Pawn
When we gave our life to Christ, we entered into God’s royal family. We became princesses, no longer being captives (or pawns) to sin or death because Christ, going to the cross for us, defeated those things.
The Enemy, however, doesn’t want us to live victoriously. Princesses know who they are; they know they have authority and they don’t hesitate to exercise it; and, as such, they dwell in another level of freedom.
A woman who knows who she is; who proudly owns her royal lineage for the good of the Kingdom; so she can love on others and help them grow and transform…. That is a woman with power. That is a woman who is empowered. That is a woman who is a Godly force to be reckoned with.
But - sadly, it is possible to be a princess but live like a pawn. (Or, to put it another way, a pauper.) Neither pawns nor paupers except much out of life. They tend to focus on surviving more than thriving. Even if they’re given a chest full of gold coins, for example, they’re going to look at it with a survivor mentality. If something bad happens, even if it’s minor, they’re going to tend to look at it with a victim mindset.
That’s not exactly an empowered life.
Now, please understand that I am not - in any way - minimizing the hurts and traumas a lot of us have experienced that led to us forming these kinds of mindsets. Especially as children, when we were helpless and limited and just needed to survive.
However, when we’re Saved, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and the work He did for us on the cross, and our old self dies and we enter into God’s royal family, those kinds of mindsets no longer have a place in our lives.
Why? Because we then have a new identity in Christ. And in the Scriptures, for example in Matthew 6:26-34, God makes it clear that His will - and His desire - is to provide what we need. That He doesn’t want us to worry, but just focus on what He’s calling us to do. So when we cling to those mindsets, when we focus on hoarding what we have because we’re in survival mode like the one servant in Matthew 25:14-30 who buried his coins rather than increase or invest them, we’re choosing to live like paupers or pawns even though we have access to God’s untold riches and blessings.
God doesn’t want us to merely survive - He wants us to thrive. For our own well-being and because He has big plans for His kingdom. He’s waiting for His princesses to trust Him with their few fishes and loaves so He can multiply them exponentially, show the world His glory, and bring more unSaved souls to salvation so they can be free and in relationship with Him.
Again, please note that I’m not preaching a warped prosperity theology or saying that we shouldn’t steward well. But there’s a difference between stewarding (which includes giving to others) and hoarding out of survival. Or believing that God isn’t powerful enough to supply infinite resources to His kids.
All of this comes back to understanding our identity. If I understand, and own, who I am as God’s princess based on Biblical truth and His character, then I’m going to live like one. And the Kingdom, and my country and my town, is going to benefit from what I do. Because I will feel empowered to do more; to step out of my comfort zone; to act with authority; and to trust that God will meet me whatever my need is: physically, emotionally, logistically, etc.
This bring us to Reason #3….
Reason #3: You’ll Expect More from God and Yourself - and Aim Higher as a Result
If you’re living as God’s princess rather than a pawn of the world (meaning, as a victim of whatever the world or Satan throws at you - which won’t have to be much), then your expectations are going to shift dramatically. It’s a natural byproduct.
If I know who I am in Christ; and I’m owning it and living it; including my authority and freedom in Christ; and, as a result, I’m an empowered princess warrior…I’m going to do what God calls me to do and trust that He has my back. In every way - finances, spiritual protection, logistics, you name it. He might just supply it, or I might have to partner with Him to get it, but He’s got my back.
You can’t live like that and have very small expectations of God’s provision, right? Those two things simply don’t go together. If I’m in that place (that I just described), I’m going to have big expectations of my God.
I’m also going to have bigger expectations of myself. Because now I’m empowered and equipped to do more. I know who I am - and that identity is firmly rooted in the God of the universe who loved me so much that He sent His only Son to die so that we could be in a relationship. And that relationship is rock solid. God is never going to forsake me, no matter what I do. Plus, He’s going to provide whatever I need. And, as we looked at a few minutes ago, I am now part of a royal family, giving me authority, freedom, and empowerment to do His will here on earth.
Ladies, we have no excuses. Again, I’m not saying that healing from old or deep wounds, or learning how to kill a victim or survival mindset, is simple or easy. It takes time. And even myself, who is much more princess than pauper after all the work God has done in the last twenty years, sometimes gravitates to old ways - usually when I’m up-leveling in some way. (Those things can be like a comfort blanket.)
But I’m mature enough in my growth - and solid enough in my identity - to recognize and actively deal with those things when they happen. I’m not perfect. But as God’s princess, I have a responsibility to myself - and those whose lives I touch - to catch and deal with those things when they happen.
I have to expect better for myself and actively work to achieve it - with God’s help.
And when we expect more of ourselves and our God, He can accomplish more. Within us and our lives - and in this world that so desperately needs Him.
A lot of the big “C” church mentality that’s permeated our country centers on survival. “The world is full of sin; it’s a wicked place; batten down the hatches and wait until Jesus returns. Meanwhile, don’t go out into the world and make a difference in His name. Instead, just try to drag any potential converts into the church building where we feel more safe and comfortable.”
This is basically a corporate example of the servant hiding his coins in the ground in Matthew 25. God didn’t create His church to act as a fort until Jesus returns. He created it to go out and touch and transform the world and set people free.
But if we don’t expect much of God, we’re going to focus on things more from a survivor standpoint. Will I be able to pay the bills (having just enough and not expecting anything extra)? Will I be able to send the kids to college? What will I do if my boss suddenly fires me at work? What if I get sick. Etc.
We’ll focus more on the needs that God has already promised to meet and, as a result, make fear and worry our idols. Our gods instead of Him. We also won’t strive to do anything more for the Kingdom than go to church every Sunday and maybe donate some goods or volunteer every now and then.
How can God be effective with a royal family like that?
How can we be effective - or even joyful and full of life - as a royal family like that?
Wrap-up
Sister, let’s bring it back to the crux of it all: understanding your real, true, accurately Biblical-based identity - and actively choosing to own it - is extremely important. And it’s extremely key to your growth, healing, and freedom - and to that of the people God wants you to serve.
Your past doesn’t matter. I’m currently working on my book which will share my entire story. I’m doing that on purpose because I’ve experienced a lot from others and failed a lot myself. And I want women to see that it doesn’t matter if: you were abused as a child; you had a rough childhood; you had a bad marriage; you made bad choices; you failed at a job; and on and on…. God can redeem anything. And He starts by redeeming you and giving you a brand new identity when you give your life to Him.
In fact, God may want to use your journey - or specific parts of it - to help other women. Whether that’s helping them heal or avoid the mistakes you made (so they don’t make them too). I’m a prime example of that.
But it starts with getting clear on your identity. Use my library of podcast episodes as a starting point. If you’re listening to this in the future, and my book is published, grab a copy. Do research. Question things you’ve been taught or told.
And, as always, bring it all to Jesus. Ask Him for guidance and clarity. Ask Him to put a great big spotlight onto the lies or mistruths that need to be removed or corrected. Ask Him to supply the truth to replace them.
Trust me - He’s eagerly waiting to help you. In fact, expect Him to. Cheers!