Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMPC)
It can be fun to analyze each other’s tendencies and compare personality tests. We feel closer to people if we think we can get inside their heads.
Although we can assume a lot about people’s future choices by past ones, we have to remember that we’re only looking at their behaviour. We can’t assume to know their motives and intentions. And we definitely can’t use behaviour to define someone’s identity.
Yet, people do it all the time. Parents have to be especially careful about this. Parents say things like, “My son is so stubborn. If I yell at him for something, it doesn’t seem to faze him. But my daughter falls into line with just a stern look. She’s such an angel.”
It seems harmless, and it might even be true, but this can cause kids to assume things about themselves. This boy will grow up defining himself as stubborn and unchangeable. The girl will believe she’s a perfect angel, but she’ll never be able to live up to that standard. When she falls (which is inevitable), she’ll condemn herself ruthlessly.
We need to teach kids to get their identity from God’s Word, not from the things they do or fail to do.
You also need to define yourself this way. In Jesus, you are an overcomer and more than a conqueror (1 John 5:4, Romans 8:37). You are loved (John 3:16, Romans 5:8), forgiven (1 John 1:9), strengthened (Philippians 4:13) and full of power, love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8). Never forget who you really are.