The Design and Distortion of Identity

Despite achieving external success, many leaders continue to wrestle with insecurity. This is because many do not fully understand their true identity in Christ. When we mistakenly base our worth on what we do rather than on who we are in God, insecurity follows.

Insecurity comes when you don’t know your true identity in Christ. We second guess ourselves. Sometimes, we “fake it till we make it.” But somewhere along the way, we really are not being our full selves and therefore not bringing the gold to our ministry or workplace. We are in need of validation and our security is measured on how others make us feel, rather than on who God says we are.

God’s Design for Our Identity

In the book of Genesis, the Bible describes human beings as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). That means that our true identity is rooted in God. God gave us authority to rule over the creation as well as to steward the earth and everything in it. We were designed to live in harmony with God and His purposes.

Adam and Eve experienced no shame or insecurity in their original state. They walked with God confidently and securely. This security was tied to their identity as image-bearers of God. 

At the heart of human identity is the truth that our worth is not based on what we do but on who we are and whose we are. When we mistakenly root our identity in external factors such as our career, accomplishments, or even failures, insecurity is the inevitable result. This is because such factors are ever-changing, and any sense of worth tied to them will always be fleeting.

True security, on the other hand, comes from recognizing that we are God’s creation, made in His image, and thus, our identity is rooted in Him. The world showcases human creativity in countless ways, from building skyscrapers to advancing technology, yet all these achievements are ultimately expressions of the creative identity placed within us by God.

The Brokenness of Our Identity

The fall of humanity in Genesis 3 introduces a distortion to our identity. The serpent questioned God’s goodness and lured Adam and Eve away from God’s good command. The result was a catastrophic shift in how they viewed themselves. Whereas before, they were secure in their identity, sin brought shame and insecurity. For the first time, Adam and Eve saw themselves as naked and felt fear in God’s presence.

This moment was the beginning of a distorted identity for all of humanity. No longer did Adam and Eve walk confidently in their God-given authority. Instead, they hid from God and covered themselves in an attempt to cope with their newfound shame. The enemy’s deception led them to believe that God was withholding something from them. This questioning led them away from their original, secure identity.

When we fail to understand that our identity is first and foremost found in God, we begin to lead out of brokenness. This brokenness manifests itself in insecurity, comparison, and the need for validation from others. Like Adam and Eve after the Fall, we may find ourselves hiding behind figurative fig leaves, ashamed of our vulnerabilities and afraid of God’s judgment.

A fractured identity leads us to constantly seek affirmation through our performance or status. This “performance-based identity” is shaky because the standards are always shifting. Any perceived failure can feel like a threat to the very core of who we are. The insecurity that results stifles growth, leadership, and personal fulfillment.

Restoration through Christ

The good news is that Jesus Christ came to restore our identity. Through His death and resurrection, Christ broke the curse of sin. This includes the distortion of identity that came with it. 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches that in Christ, we are a new creation. This renewal is not just a better version of ourselves but a complete restoration of who we were meant to be.

Christ’s work on the cross reinstates the authority in us that was lost at the fall. In Matthew 28, Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him, and He passes this authority to us – His followers. He commissions us to make disciples of all nations. The commission is not just for church leaders. It applies to Christians in business, medicine, education, or any other field; we are all called to lead with the authority of Christ, drawing others into a relationship with Him.

When we embrace our identity in Christ, we no longer lead from a place of insecurity but from a place of confidence and authority. This is the key difference between secure and insecure leaders. Secure leaders understand that their worth is tied to their relationship with Christ.

Understanding your identity in Christ brings healing from past wounds. Many leaders carry trauma or unresolved issues from their childhood. This can cause them to doubt their worth. But as we immerse ourselves in Scripture and allow God to heal our past hurts, we begin to lead from a position of wholeness. We no longer need validation from external sources. Rather, we find our value in the One who created us.