Spiritual Identity Disorder

God has no identity problems (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 46:9); He is confident about who He is. His children on the other hand struggle. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a personality problem in which a person has issues about self. While such problems exist for about 1.5% of people[1], a greater identity disorder exists today among Christians—Spiritual Identity Disorder.  

Identity is defined by Merriam Webster as “the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.” Personal identity is one’s view of himself or herself that is cultivated over time.[2] Identity is an important part of the Christian life because how we view ourselves is crucial to how we behave.

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear defined what is the cause for habits. While decisions have a big part to play, identity is the foundational key to the proverbial lock of changing one’s behavior. Clear wrote, “The biggest barrier to positive change at any level—individual, team, society—is identity conflict.”[3] He wrote that people “never shift the way they look at themselves, and they don’t realize that their old identity can sabotage their new plans for change.”[4] If we want to change our actions, we must first change the way we view ourselves as God’s people.

God does not want us to have Spiritual Identity Disorder—He wants us to view ourselves the way He views us. Many Christians struggle to create a good view of themselves and because of that, their confidence, their behavior, and their destiny is faulty. How can we cultivate an identity of which God is pleased and will help us get to heaven? 

Change How You Talk.

Words are powerful. Solomon noted that death and life reside in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The way in which we speak about ourselves is highly important, for soon, we will begin to believe the things we tell ourselves. Clear illustrated this principle by writing about two men who tried to quit smoking. When offered a cigarette one stated “No thanks. I’m trying to quit,” while the other responded by saying “No thanks. I’m not a smoker.”[5] When we begin to change our words to fit who we want to be, we will begin to change our identity for Christ.

We must not equate humility and self-abasement; they are not the same thing. We should recognize the blessings that we have in Christ and verbalize them to ourselves. Many Christians hurt their identity by claiming the following:

• “I’m a sinner.”

• “I’m working on it.”

• “I’m not the best.”

Many people begin to believe these things and eventually may act out the things they believe (Proverbs 23:7). Instead, Christians are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), not sinners. In attempting to overcome the sin of cursing, don’t say “I’m working on my cursing,” say “I’m not someone who curses.” If you’re not the best at something say, “I’m going to get better.” Learn from the past, but don’t let it define your present or future (Philippians 3:5-8, 13-14). Changing the way we talk to and about ourselves will help us remember who we truly are and who we want to be.

Be Particular Around Whom You Associate.

Our identity can be shaped by others. We begin to shape our thoughts, words, and actions with the mold of our closest companions. Unconsciously, our view about ourselves can be shifted easily, so it is important that the people with whom we spend our time with help us create a good identity for Christ. Solmon wrote “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise” (Proverbs 13:20). Have you ever sat with an intelligent person only to feel a little smarter yourself? Later, the preacher penned “make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25). How often do we begin to cultivate a negative view of the world because of our negative peers? Eventually, when we are around others long enough, our identity will be shifted, either for good and bad, and our actions will ultimately change too: "Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ASV).

Compare Yourself to Jesus, Not Others.

It is easy to make unhealthy comparisons.

• “I wish I talked like him.”

• “I wish I looked like her.”

• “I wish I could do this like them.”

Identity problems arise when we attempt to seek to be someone else than self. While it is acceptable and even beneficial to take in the good traits and behaviors of others (Philippians 3:17; 4:9), changing one’s personal identity to be like another’s identity may create a problem, especially with those who are wicked. Paul wrote, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). Imitate[6] others ONLY if they imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul wrote “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). We should strive to think, talk, and act like Jesus. His life must be our life, if we want an identity that will rise above all others (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4).  

Read What God Has to Say About You.

A young woman was berating herself. She criticized herself on her appearance, how she spoke, her laugh, how she cleaned the house, and her failures in providing some meals for her husband. It was not until her husband left for a work conference that it changed. She picked up his prayer journal and began reading an expert from two days prior. It read: “My wife: I love her smile, her kiss, and her embrace as I walk in the door from work. She is the most beautiful woman in the world, she takes care of all things I cannot. The house is clean, I have such wonderful meals, and I always can rely on her laugh to cheer me up. There is no other woman I would rather spend my life with than her. Thank you Lord.” Reading his journal saw how valuable she was.  

Reading is the best way to produce confidence. Changing our identity begins with reading about who we truly are in Christ. God knows more about us than we do—let’s trust Him. Want to change your identity? Change third persons pronouns to first person pronouns as you read Bible promises. Bible mark your name beside the blessings given to Christians:  

• I am blessed (Ephesians 1:3).

• I am a child of God (1 John 3:1). 

• I am saved (Romans 8:1).

• I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

• I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).

• I am loved (John 3:16).

God has a lot to say about who you are. The more we read about who we are in Christ, the better our lives will be.

The way in which we view ourselves matters to God. If our identity is skewed, maybe its time we change that today. We must not lie about our identity. If you are a sinner, the only way you can change your identity for good is to confess your current identity and make a change. If you are not a Christian change your identity through belief, repentance, confession, and baptism (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-4). If you have fallen, confess your error and begin to view yourself as a forgiven person again (1 John 1:9). God knows who you are—do you?

Endnotes

[1]https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder

[2]James Clear, Atomic Habits, Penguin Random House, 2018.

[3]Ibid, p. 35.   

[4]Ibid, p. 31. 

[5]Ibid, p. 31. 

[6]The Greek word translated “followers” is (μιμητής) from which we get our word “mimic.”