I have always heard that it is important to know your Identity (now yourself), and treat yourself accordingly. This is important because how you treat yourself often informs your interactions with others and teaches others how to treat you. For example, if you are someone who hates lateness, you will make a concerted effort to always be on time. With time, people who interact with you will know not to be late to meetings with you or to expect you on time. But what happens when everyone around you knows your identity and still calls you by the wrong name?

Right Identity, Wrong Name

The inspiration for this post is the story of Daniel’s friends.  Their story can be found in Daniel 1. When I read the passage a few days ago, something struck me. All four Hebrew boys were selected to serve the king, and they were all given Babylonian names. Their Hebrew names were Daniel, Mishael, Azariah, and Hananiah, and their Babylonian names were Belteshazzar, Meshach, Abednego, and Shadrach. However, to this day, we only call Daniel by his Hebrew name, and the others by their Babylonian names. 

Even in Daniel 3, where the story of the three men in the fiery furnace is recorded, they are identified as Hebrew men or Jews. However, in the very next line, they are called by their Babylonian name. Everyone knew their right identity, but they were all called by the wrong name.

No human has the right to determine your identity and call you by the wrong name
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Why People Call You the Wrong Name

This happens more times than we can imagine. Often times, people know who you are and know your situation, but insist on calling you by the wrong name. More often than not, the name or label ascribed to you is based on a situation that is temporary or has no bearing on who you really are. It is the case for a woman who was barren for 16 years and now has four children, but people still remember her as ‘that woman who was barren for 16 years’. What about a man who was imprisoned for 5 years and has been out of jail and been a good citizen for 15 years, but is still referred to as ‘the man who was imprisoned for 5 years’.

Naming Rights

It is your right to call yourself who you are. In other words, you are who you say you are. No human has the right to determine your identity and label you what you are not. The most important thing is that you know who God says you are. When someone refers to you by a name or label that is not reflective of your identity, do not respond. When someone insists on only identifying you by a situation that is now passed, do not indulge them. It is your identity and you have a right to name yourself!

If you do not know yourself, delve into God’s words to discover your identity and see what God says about you. Nothing is worse than having other people’s voice and opinions shape and write your narrative.

Start with:

1 Peter 2:9 ~ “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

And download, for FREE my e-book; What God Says About Me

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