Have you ever noticed how quickly people slap labels on things? We label everything—from our favorite foods to the type of music we like. But it doesn’t stop there. People love to label each other too. “He’s the smart one.” “She’s the shy one.” “They’re just trouble.” It’s like everyone’s walking around with a giant label-maker, sticking words on us that don’t tell the whole story.
This past weekend, Simon Obert’s message, “Identity Matters,” tackled this head-on. He reminded us that these labels, whether they come from others or ourselves, are not what define us. God does. And while society may try to box us in with labels, God’s grace is always breaking down those walls. His love doesn’t fit into neat little categories.
Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Translation? If you keep believing the labels others put on you—good or bad—you’ll start living them out. But if you believe what God says about you, everything changes. You’re not just “average” or “a failure” or whatever other negative tags you’ve picked up. You’re God’s masterpiece, created with a purpose!
Simon shared a funny yet powerful story about trying to change his name in seventh grade, thinking a new name would mean a new him. He learned the hard way that changing what people call you doesn’t change who you are. The real transformation happens when we start believing in the identity God has given us.
Think about it: how often do we let labels define us? Maybe you’ve been called “not good enough,” “too sensitive,” or “difficult.” Or maybe you’ve accepted labels like “overachiever” or “people pleaser” without realizing they’re weighing you down. It’s like wearing a sweater in July—it just doesn’t belong!
I remember once being labeled the “quiet kid” in school. No matter how much I wanted to speak up, I felt stuck in that label. It wasn’t until I realized that God’s voice in me mattered more than what people thought that I began to find my own. It’s a freeing feeling, like taking off a heavy backpack you didn’t know you were carrying.
So, what label have you been carrying around? Is it one you’ve given yourself or something someone else stuck on you? Either way, it’s time to let it go. Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That means allowing God to strip away the old labels and replace them with His truth: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Today, let’s commit to seeing ourselves as God sees us. His opinion is the only one that truly matters.
Closing Prayer: Lord, I’m tired of carrying labels that don’t belong to me. Help me to let go of the names and titles others have put on me and embrace the identity You’ve given me. Teach me to see myself through Your eyes, to believe in my worth and purpose because of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You are not the labels people put on you. You are not defined by your mistakes or your successes. You are defined by the One who created you with love and purpose.
Call to Action: Consider sharing this devotional with someone who might need encouragement today. Check out the podcast replay of this message on your favorite podcast platform. Search for “CITCBA Insights” today. You can listen at churchinthecity.org/podcasts. And if you’re in the area, join us at Church in the City for one of our services. Our Saturday service at 10 a.m. has a Messianic theme, and our Sunday contemporary service starts at 10:45 a.m. Church in the City began as an outreach in the early 80s and became a church in 1991, dedicated to reflecting Christ in our community and the world.