True Identity: Becoming Who God Says You Are
A 6-Part Series on Biblical Identity for Men

Part 1, we explored the foundation of our identity—that we are made in the image of God, created with purpose, and seen by Him beyond what we do or what others think.

But if that’s true… why do so many of us feel lost?

This post digs into the tension between who God says we are and how we often see ourselves. Something has distorted the mirror. Our identity has been hijacked—and until we understand what broke, we’ll never fully step into what God intended.

---

The Problem with Identity: Why We Feel Lost

You were made in the image of God. That truth is your anchor.

So why do so many of us feel unmoored?

Why do we chase approval, battle shame, and wonder who we really are—even after coming to faith?

Here’s the hard truth:
Our identity has been hacked.

---

What Broke?

Genesis 3. The Fall.

Humanity believed a lie: “You can be like God.”
We stopped trusting who God said we were and started chasing our own version of identity. That lie didn’t just fracture the world—it fractured us.

We didn’t stop being image-bearers of God. But the mirror cracked. Our sense of self got distorted.

Since then, every generation has struggled to answer the question, “Who am I?” with clarity, confidence, and truth.

---

The Hackers: World, Flesh, Devil

1. The World
Tells you what you’re worth based on performance, possessions, and popularity.
It says, “Build your brand. Prove yourself. Keep climbing.”
But no matter how high you go, the ladder never ends.

2. The Flesh
Tells you to chase whatever you crave.
“If it feels good, do it.”
But our feelings aren’t just fickle—they’re fallen. They pull us in a thousand directions and never satisfy.

3. The Devil
Tells you you’re a fraud. That your failure is final. That you’re too far gone.
He knows he can’t steal your soul—so he tries to confuse your identity.

And most of us?
We don’t even realize we’ve been hacked. We walk around with a spiritual identity theft that leaves us insecure, exhausted, and restless.

---

Sin Doesn’t Erase God’s Image—But It Distorts It

Every part of us has been affected by sin:
Our thinking. Our desires. Our motives. Even how we see ourselves.

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit…
They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
(Galatians 5:17)

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy…”
(Colossians 2:8)

You don’t need a better version of yourself.
You need a new source for your identity.

---

Modern Culture: Fruits Without Roots

We live in a time that celebrates “authenticity” and “dignity,” but it’s cut itself off from the Source.

Postmodernism says identity is fluid—always shifting based on feelings, politics, or group dynamics. It rejects the Creator but still wants the benefits of creation.

It’s like wanting fruit without the tree. But that won’t work for long.

We are not self-made. We are God-made.

---

False Identities We Buy Into

• The Achiever – “I am what I accomplish.”
• The Good Guy – “I am better than most.”
• The Rebel – “I make my own rules.”
• The Chameleon – “I become whatever people want.”

None of these work. Because they all rely on you to hold it all together.

But real identity doesn’t come from inside you.
It comes from the One who made you.

---

What Now?

This week, take time to look in the mirror—spiritually speaking.

Ask yourself:

• What false identities have I been living from?
• Where do I go to feel “enough”?
• What lies have I believed about who I am?

And bring those answers to God. Let Him start untangling what’s false so He can rebuild what’s true.

---

Reflection Question

What are some false identities you’ve worn—and what made them so tempting?

---

Key Scriptures

• Genesis 3
• Galatians 5:17
• Colossians 2:8
• Romans 3:23

---