Shifting the Conversation: From Cultural Acceptance to Biblical Truth Day 3: Identity — Culture Says “You Define You”
Introduction: The Identity Crisis of Our Age
Key Verses:
- Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (NASB)
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
We live in a time when you can create your own identity. Society basically shouts, “Be whoever you want!” Whether it's about your gender, what you believe in, your job, or your spiritual path, you’re encouraged to define yourself based on what you feel, what you want, and what you’ve been through.
It sounds empowering… until it leaves people empty.
Because deep down, we weren’t made to create our identity.
God made us to receive it.
The Cultural Lie: “You Define You”
Cultural acceptance shows us that identity is flexible and something we define for ourselves:
“Follow your heart.” “Live your truth.” “You are enough.”
This point of view puts us in charge instead of God. When emotions take over, truth becomes more like something you can bend, and our sense of who we are gets pretty shaky.
But here’s the problem: a self-made identity can’t hold the weight of your spiritual life.
The Biblical Truth: “God Defines You”
From the very beginning, God defined humanity with purpose and dignity:
Created in His image (Genesis 1:27) Male and female, distinct and intentional Designed to reflect His glory—not invent our own
But sin corrupted that image. Our identity became distorted, leading us to seek affirmation in everything but God—relationships, accomplishments, sexuality, fame, or performance.
That’s why Jesus came: to restore what sin had broken.
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that when we are in Christ, we are made new—not improved, not just accepted—but transformed.
“The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Identity in Christ: A Firm Foundation
When your identity is in Christ, you don’t have to:
- Chase cultural validation Perform for acceptance Compare yourself to others
In Christ, you are:
- Forgiven (Colossians 1:13–14) Adopted (Ephesians 1:5) Chosen (1 Peter 2:9) Set apart (Romans 12:1–2) Secure (John 10:28)
This is identity that can’t be canceled, confused, or changed by a cultural shift. It’s rooted in the eternal, unchanging Word of God.
What This Means for Us
If we want to shift the conversation from cultural acceptance to biblical truth, we must first settle our identity in Christ.
Then—and only then—can we confidently speak into the confusion around us, not with condemnation, but with clarity and compassion
Reflection Questions:
- Have I allowed culture or emotion to define parts of my identity?
- Do I believe what God says about who I am more than what the world says?
- How can I help others find their true identity in Christ?
Closing Thought:
Culture tells us to look inward to discover who we are.
But the gospel invites us to look upward and find who we were created to be.
Our identity isn’t something we find—it’s someone we follow.