Identity Theft: 3 Lies Christian Women Believe (and the Truth of God’s Word)
Do you feel it? That pull in your heart that God has more for you, and that He's inviting you into more with Him? But you're stuck. You're not moving forward, and you're not sure why.
Friend, I don't think it's about your abilities. I think it's about your identity in Christ. Many Christian women who are called to lead are believing some things about themselves that simply are not true.
Identity theft started a long time ago
Think about it. Satan is the originator of identity theft. If he can't steal your salvation, and he can't, because that's secure, then he's going to come after your identity.
He does not want you to walk in your true identity. When you know who God says you are, you start doing all the things God is calling you to do. So he wants to trip you up and keep you from that.
I'd be willing to say you're believing at least one lie right now. Let's look at three of the most common ones, and see if you can relate.
Myth: I am what I do, or what others say about me. Truth: Your identity was settled in Christ, and nothing can change it.
Lie 1: "I'm not qualified."
I hear this one all the time. I've thought it myself.
Years ago, I went to a writer's conference, and we needed contact cards. Mine said "Pam Pegram, Writer." I felt like such a fraud. People kept telling me, "Pam, you write a weekly blog. You've written a book. You're a writer." But I didn't feel it. I didn't feel equipped, and I didn't think anything qualified me to write.
That simply is not true, and here's why.
"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (2 Corinthians 3:5, NIV)
We forget that we're never alone. It's me and God doing the things He's asked me to do. When something feels big and scary and like more than we can do, that's what keeps us relying on Him. It keeps us crying out, "God, please work through me. Give me the words to say. Show me how to handle this."
We're not supposed to be self-reliant. So when you hear yourself say, "I'm not qualified," that's your invitation to bring God into it.
I didn't write a word in my book without worshiping first. Many days I spent 20 minutes with my hands lifted, praising Him, getting rid of me so He could write through me. Laying yourself down so the Holy Spirit can work in you has to be intentional. It never happens by accident.
So it's okay that you don't feel qualified. If God called you to it, He will equip you and empower you with whatever you need to finish what He's asking you to do.
Speak these over the lie:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)
We have to speak truth over the lie.
Lie 2: "I've messed up too much."
Have you ever said that? I once heard a woman share her testimony, and she said, "I thought I had blown it." Oh, that hurts, doesn't it? To think you've messed up so badly that God can't use you.
Friend, it's not true. Anything in your past is just a chapter in your story. It is not who you are. A mistake you made, or something that happened to you, does not define you. Don't let the enemy convince you that you're too far gone or that there's no coming back.
Your salvation means you've been made new. You are no longer who you were. Your identity, your worth and your value have nothing to do with your mistakes, your poor choices or what has happened to you. Your worth and value were instilled in you by your Creator, and there's nothing you can do to diminish them.
Picture a $100 bill. You can wad it up, stomp on it, drop it in a glass of water and let it dry. But when you go to pay for something, what is it worth? Still $100. Even wrinkled, even with an edge missing, it has the same worth it had in the beginning. So do you.
Speak these over the lie:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, NIV)
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NIV)
Write them on cards. Keep them where you can find them. Any time you feel like you've blown it, pull them out and say them back over that lie. Every day is a new day when you're walking with Jesus.
Lie 3: "Someone else could do it better."
But God called you. He's asking you to do it. Are you suggesting God made a mistake when He asked you instead of someone else?
That's your fear talking. So stop saying it.
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
And He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV)
You just have to trust Him. Lean into the truth of God's Word. Elevate your perspective and see your life from a higher vantage point. God has bigger plans for you. I'm not talking about more worldly stuff. I'm talking about more intimacy with Him, more purpose and more impact.
"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body." (Romans 12:4-5, NLT)
You have a role in the body of Christ that only you can fill. Your part matters in God's plan.
Obedience opens the door
When we say yes to God and do what He asks, we're being obedient. And obedience opens the door to more clarity, more confidence and more steps forward in your calling, because you're walking in your Christ-given identity. You're rooted in Him. That's the goal.
These are only three lies. There are so many more that keep us from living out what God has for us. Nobody can tell you who you are better than God's Word.
Go deeper: free From Identity to Influence workshop
On Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 PM Central, I'm hosting a free online workshop called From Identity to Influence. We'll go deeper into identity, map out the scriptures, and give you the ammunition to blow up those lies, so you can walk in your true identity and do what God is calling you to do. That's the sweet spot of life, and you don't want to miss it.
Save your free seat at pampegram.com/workshop
Friends don't let friends miss opportunities like this, so share it with a friend who needs it.
Reflection question: Which of these three lies hit closest to home? Write it down, ask yourself, "Who told you that?" and write God's truth right beside it.
You might be interested in listening to Episode 253: Identity Theft: 3 Lies That Keep Christian Women From Leading on the Confident Christian Influence podcast.
Praying for you -
Hi friend,
I pray today's post was an encouragement to you.
I'm Pam Pegram, and I believe every believer is called to lead. Leadership is influence. It's not about having a title or a platform. It's about faithfully influencing every life God places in your path. I help Christian women know who God says they are, so they can be salt and light at home, at work and in their community.
Your next step: download my free L.E.A.D. Framework and discover four biblical shifts to help you lead with influence wherever God places you.
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Called to Lead. Created to influence.