Introduction

Seeing yourself through God’s eyes is essential for transforming your life and your relationships.

Most people live their entire lives without ever seeing themselves clearly.
They see themselves through:

• • Wounds.
  • Labels.
  • Failures.
  • Achievements.
  • Emotions.
  • Family expectations.
  • Cultural messages.
  • Religious assumptions.

But none of these are the truth.

Your real identity is found only in how God sees you.
Everything in your life changes when you begin to align your thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behaviors with His perspective.

Identity is not a religious concept. Identity is the engine of transformation.

• • Your thoughts flow from identity.
  • Your emotions react from identity.
  • Your behaviors reveal identity.
  • Your relationships mirror identity.
  • Your purpose unfolds from identity.

And when you begin to see yourself as God sees you, everything in your life will begin to change.

• • Your thoughts change.
  • Your emotions change.
  • Your choices change.
  • Your relationships change.
  • Your purpose becomes clear.

This is the journey of transformation — and it begins with a new identity.

What Is Identity?

Identity is the inner story you believe about who you are, why you matter, and what role you play in this world.

It includes:

• • How you see yourself (worth, value, competence)
  • How you believe God sees you
  • What you believe you deserve or don’t deserve
  • What you expect from life
  • What you believe about your purpose

Identity operates beneath the surface. It shapes thoughts, desires, decisions, habits, and the health of your relationships.
If identity is distorted, everything built on top of it becomes unstable.

Your identity is the root of the tree. Your behavior is the fruit.
Change the root. The fruit changes naturally.

Why Is Identity So Critically Important?

Identity determines:

A. How you relate to God

If you believe you are unworthy or unlovable, you will keep your distance or hide from God.
If you know you are loved and cherished, you will draw near with confidence.

B. How you relate to yourself

A broken or distorted fallen identity fuels insecurity, fear, shame, and self-rejection.
A proper God-given identity fuels peace, stability, confidence, and joy.

C. How you relate to others

People with broken identities:

• • • Overreact / Unpredictable
    • Withdraw
    • Seek approval / Validation
    • Manipulate / Control
    • Fear abandonment
    • Hurt others unintentionally

People rooted in Chris based identity are able to:

• • • Love freely
    • Forgive quickly
    • Remain stable under pressure
    • Serve without seeking return
    • Bring peace instead of conflict

People who know who they are in Christ can love freely and sacrificially without needing others to validate them.

D. How you walk out purpose

Identity directs destiny.
If you see yourself as weak, you will never step into what God designed you to do.
If you see yourself as chosen, equipped, and empowered, you will live boldly.

Identity shapes everything.

3. How Does God See You?

The Bible presents three clear identity categories.
Every person on earth fits into one of them.

Identity 1: The Unbeliever

(Lost • Dead in Sin • Separated • Self-Led)

This person:

• • • Does not know God
    • Relies on self
    • Lives in spiritual darkness / Is blind to spiritual truth
    • Is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1)
    • Lives as their own master
    • Is not yet redeemed

This is not condemnation—but they face condemnation if they die in their sins

This is simply the starting point before salvation.

Identity 2: The Lukewarm Believer

(Found but Not Following • Unsurrendered • Dual-Minded)

This is the most common and most dangerous category.

A lukewarm believer:

• • • Believes all about Jesus
    • Appreciates His teachings
    • Wants heaven but not a life of holiness
    • Wants blessings but not obedience
    • Selectively obeys if convenient
    • Lives mostly self-led
    • Has not chosen to Follow Jesus by denying self, taking up their cross, and surrender fully
    • Remains largely unchanged in identity and character
    • Fully exposed to consequences in the fallen world

Jesus describes folks in this group specifically in Revelation 3:
Confident in their status, but spiritually poor, blind, and vulnerable.

A lukewarm believer is not rejected by God —
but they are invited to repentance, surrender, and discipleship.

This category matters because many people mistakenly think:

“I believe in Jesus, therefore I am ok.’”

Scripture teaches otherwise – knowing about Jesus is just the beginning – He must know you through your obedience.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” – Matthew 7:21-23 

Belief is the doorway.
Surrender is the pathway.
Discipleship is the life.  

C. Identity 3: The Disciple

(Born Again • Submitted • Following Jesus • Empowered)

A disciple has:

• • • Died to the old identity
    • Been born again into a new one
    • Received the Holy Spirit
    • Surrendered to Jesus as Lord
    • Begun walking in obedience
    • Embraced transformation
    • Begun producing spiritual fruit
    • Shifted from self-led to Spirit-led

This is what the New Testament calls being “in Christ.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Cor. 5:17

A disciple is not perfect.
A disciple is surrendered and committed to follow Jesus.

A disciple is not sinless.
A disciple is being transformed to learn from mistakes and grow and become more like Christ every day.

A disciple does not earn identity.
A disciple receives identity and lives from it.

How Can I Tell If I Am “In Christ”?

There is clear evidence and it is very clear: This is not about perfection — it is about direction, desire, and spiritual birth.

Below is a Self-Test to help you see where you stand:

Guiding Questions

• • • Do I obey God always or only when it’s convenient?
    • Does Jesus shape my schedule, decisions, and desires?
    • Have I actually surrendered control of my life to Him?
    • Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit’s transformation in me?
    • Do I love God more than the world, or the world more than God?

Your answers reveal your current identity.

How Do I Become “In Christ” If I’m Not There Yet?

You enter the new identity through faith, repentance, and surrender.

Not by religion.
Not by good works.
Not by church attendance.
Not by mentally agreeing with doctrine.

Identity changes when Lordship changes.

Steps:

1. 1. Believe Jesus is who He says He is.
   2. Repent (turn away from self-rule).
   3. Surrender (embrace Jesus as Lord, not just Savior).
   4. Receive the Holy Spirit (the power of new life).
   5. Begin following Jesus daily (this is discipleship).

This is spiritual rebirth—the moment identity truly changes.

How Do I Embrace My Identity in Christ?

Identity must be received, then practiced, then grown.

Best Practices:

A. Renew Your Mind Daily

Replace self-lies with God’s truth.

B. Declare Identity Out Loud – see below

Your heart follows your words.

C. Reject Old Labels

Stop rehearsing shame, failure, and fear.

Notice those negative thoughts when they creep in and take them captive

D. Journal With Jesus

Ask:  “What lie am I believing?”

“What truth do You want me to embrace?”

E. Practice Obedience

Obedience strengthens identity.

F. Surround Yourself With Disciples

Identity grows in community.

Identity Declaration

“Lord, I choose to see myself as You see me.
I reject every false label, lie, and wound that has shaped my old identity.
I receive my identity in Christ — forgiven, redeemed, loved, chosen, and empowered by Your Spirit.
I surrender my life to You.
I choose to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You.
Write Your truth on my heart and help me walk it out boldly.
I am Yours, and I will live for Your glory. Amen.”

Am I Living From My New Identity In Christ? 

Most people assume they know where they stand spiritually, yet their daily thoughts, desires, and choices often tell a different story.

Identity is not what we claim—it is what we live from.

The following self-test helps you honestly evaluate whether your life reflects the identity of an Unbeliever, a Lukewarm Believer, or a surrendered Disciple. The goal is not condemnation but clarity. When you understand where you truly are, you can understand exactly what God is inviting you into next. Use this comparison to locate yourself with humility and courage.

Identity Self test:

Guiding Questions

• • What does my daily behavior reveal about who I believe I am?
  • Do I treat others from insecurity or love?
  • Do I make decisions based on fear or faith?
  • Do I live from old wounds or new truth?
  • Am I walking as a disciple or a dual-minded believer?

Where To Learn More

Scripture

• • Romans 8
  • 2 Corinthians 5
  • Ephesians 1–3
  • Colossians 3
  • Galatians 2 & 5
  • John 15
  • Psalm 139

Books

Victory Over the Darkness – Neil Anderson

Renovation of the Heart – Dallas Willard

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness – Timothy Keller

The Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren

Keep Your Love On – Danny Silk

Teachers & Video Resources

Dan Mohler – Identity in Christ & transformation

Graham Cooke – New creation realities

Bill Johnson – Kingdom identity

Bible Project – Identity, holiness, salvation videos

Practices

Daily identity declarations – I Have A New Identity In Christ

Journaling with Jesus – You Can Hear God’s Voice Through Journaling

Scripture meditation

Community with disciples

Obedience-based spiritual growth

Final Thoughts

Your identity is the single most powerful force in your life.
If you see yourself through your past, wounds, failures, or emotions, you will stay trapped in the same patterns.

But if you begin to see yourself as God sees you—
loved, chosen, redeemed, empowered—
your entire life transforms.

You must choose:

Stay stuck in an old identity…
or embrace the new identity Jesus purchased for you.

When you choose the new:

Your relationships change.
Your emotions heal.
Your purpose awakens.
Your habits shift.
Your legacy begins.

Seeing yourself as God sees you is not just revelation—
it is the beginning of transformation.