Exodus 5:17 (CSB)
But he said, “You are slackers. Slackers! That is why you are saying, ‘Let us go sacrifice to the Lord.’
Labels Matter
Imagine stepping into a grocery store without any labels or signs. The confusion and stress can be overwhelming. A simple task like picking out a few groceries could become a chaotic, time-consuming ordeal. Or consider the significance of warning labels on chemicals; they prevent potential harm by clearly communicating the danger.
Labels go far beyond just objects and tasks. Unfortunately, they also profoundly influence our perception of ourselves and others. While categories and labels can help us clearly understand circumstances and even people, a faulty label can lead to confusion, misjudgment, and deep regret. Incorrectly labeling ingredients for a meal can lead to a disastrous outcome or a health crisis. Likewise, when we mislabel ourselves or allow others to mislabel us, it can have profound consequences for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
The enemy constantly hurls labels at you that misrepresent your legal standing in the Kingdom of God. The world, the flesh, and the devil thrive on misidentification, intending to destroy your sense of worth, drive you away from your Kingdom purpose, and blur your identity in Christ. They’re prolific at sticking labels of condemnation on your heart and mind, such as ‘failure,’ ‘unworthy,’ or ‘inadequate.’ If you allow these labels to stick, they can be downright dangerous, steering you away from the truth of who you are in Christ and your Kingdom purpose in your generation.
Pharaoh’s Deceptive Labels
The Pharaoh from the book of Exodus presents an intriguing character in biblical history. In his time, he was the most powerful ruler of the most powerful kingdom in the world. He had enslaved God's people, keeping them in bondage under his evil rule (Exodus 1:14).
His life serves as an interesting parallel to another character that the New Testament refers to as the ‘god of this world.’ “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4, NLT). Can you discern the deception? He “has blinded the minds.”
You must understand that the enemy of your soul doesn’t even care if you believe in God; his primary goal is to steer you away from your position and purpose in God's Kingdom. The devil's aim is to distort your perception of living as the image of God in this world. The goal is to alter your perception of God and view Him as the taskmaster, mean, or unjust. By doing so, your enemy wants to lure you away from God's grace and Kingdom living, causing you to live in fear and legalism.
Knowing Your Identity and Purpose
Central to recognizing your identity in Christ is knowing that when you come to faith in Him, you become a child of God and are granted an eternal inheritance. Your identity isn’t earned through good works, nor is it maintained by them; your position in God’s Kingdom is all based on God's grace and your faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). You’re not just a “sinner saved by grace;” you’re a child of the Most High God, a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17), an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:20). When you wrap your mind around your identity in Christ, it will transform the way you think about yourself and how you relate to God and other people in this world.
Remind Yourself
The enemy of your soul is constantly going to throw lies and deception at your heart and mind every day. It’s essential that you have some type of system that constantly reminds you of who you are in Christ (Colossians 3:16). One of the most effective methods I’ve developed involves going through a daily prayer list, filled with gratitude to God for my identity and position in Christ Jesus.
Don't allow your enemy to define you by your past mistakes or by the labels this world will try to place on you. But rather, look to the truth of God's Word and His promises. Dear friend, I encourage you today to walk in the truth of your identity in Christ Jesus, knowing with assurance that you're more than a conqueror through him who loved you (Romans 8:37). Know this today: You're a child of the King; you have an eternal inheritance, and no deception from your enemy or label of this world can change that.