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Why you Need to Know who you are NOT

Picture this: You’re heading to the dentist to get your wisdom teeth pulled. Ugh. Of course, you’re not really looking forward to it, but you know that getting those wisdom teeth out of there is important for the overall health of your mouth. So, you make your way to the dentist’s office, walk in, and fill out the required paperwork. You’re mentally prepared—feeling calm and ready to go ahead and get this procedure out of the way. The assistant calls you back, and you force a smile on your face as you walk toward the chair. But you’re ready! You sit down, and the assistant pushes that button to recline you back… But then, CURVE BALL. It’s not a dentist who sits down next to you to pull your teeth out, it’s a farmer. !!

Of course, that would never happen in real life. A farmer doesn’t know how to pull teeth; a farmer knows how to plant, nurture and harvest crops! A farmer knows how to raise livestock. And I’m willing to bet that any farmer will stay as far away as possible from the dentist’s white coat. He doesn’t want to be pushed into the role of pulling someone’s teeth as much as you’d want him actually working on your teeth. And vice versa—a dentist probably doesn’t know much about raising crops and livestock. Put him in a machine shed full of farming tools and machinery, and he’ll be dreaming of getting back to his dentist office.

Because the farmer knows what his role is, he also knows what his role is NOT. Same with the dentist. It’s helpful to have clearly defined roles in life, isn’t it? As a teacher, I don’t have to worry about taking care of people’s teeth, and I don’t have to stress about making sure I’m properly contributing to the country’s food supply. As a teacher, I teach! It is my job to plan and develop lessons that effectively teach students the content in my subject area. For me, that’s journalism, world literature and computers. (And believe me, I know for sure that it’s NOT my role to teach math or science. Thank goodness!)

In the Bible, John the Baptist shows us a good example of what it looks like to know your role and operate within it. He knew what his role was in the kingdom of God, and he also knew what his role was NOT. 

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders[c] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” -John 1:19-23, emphasis added

Because John knew with certainty who he was NOT, he was able to focus more clearly and specifically on who he was. John the Baptist makes the case that it’s just as important to know who you aren’t as it is to know who you are. When you know what you’re not called to do, that knowledge can help give shape to your life—in the short and long term. A dentist isn’t going to waste time attending an agriculture conference. That’s an easy no for him! And John the Baptist kept his focus narrowly keyed in on his calling from God, to be a voice calling in the wilderness, preparing people for the arrival of Jesus. 

What has God called you to do? Do you know specifically what He has NOT called you to do? By having a clear sense of identity and vision, you can be more strategic, disciplined and productive when making decisions. For example, if you know God has called you to serve in the elementary Sunday School program at your church, put your effort and energy into that calling! This might mean saying no to other volunteer needs that come up in the church. Obviously the church needs willing servants, but if you end up spending all of your free time one week working on a different volunteer project and run out of time to adequately prepare your Sunday School lesson, then you may not be giving your students your very best on Sunday morning. Stay closely in tune with the Holy Spirit to know what, how and where God is calling you. 

John the Baptist knew his identity, and he used that certainty to remain laser focused on what God had called him to do. If you don’t know your Christ-focused purpose in life, have you prayed about it? Ask God to show you what He’s created you to do. And as you wait for Him to reveal it, focus on your identity as a child of God. The Bible is full of identity statements. It clearly defines the identity of a Christ follower. By knowing your identity in Christ, you can also define and know what is NOT true about who you are. Here are just a few:

    • You are free from sin, death and condemnation (Romans 8:1-2). This means you are NOT held captive by sin, death and guilt. 
    • You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means you are NOT stuck in your old ways. Once you enter into life with Jesus, you get a fresh start.
    • You are equipped with spiritual weapons and spiritual armor for destroying enemy strongholds (Ephesians 6:12-18; 2 Corinthians 10:4). This means you are NOT left defenseless and vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. 
    • You are redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14). This means you are NOT left endangered, forgotten and treading in the water of your past mistakes.
    • You are an adopted child of God (Ephesians 1:5). This means you have NOT been abandoned or left forgotten and unloved.
    • You are constantly covered in prayer (Hebrews 7:25). This means you are NOT uncared for or forgotten about. 
    • You are chosen (Ephesians 1:4). This means you are NOT unwanted.
    • You are a temple, a dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). This means you are NEVER far removed from Christ. He lives within you.
    • You are an overcomer (1 John 5:5). This means that you are NOT defeated. You will NOT face a challenge you cannot overcome in Christ. 
    • You are at peace with God, reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). This means you do NOT need to live in fear of God and how he might react to your shortcomings and failures. 

When you know who you are, then you also know who you are not. Don’t let yourself live believing any lies, and don’t make daily decisions based on what you are not. When you know your God-given purpose in life, let it shine a narrow beacon of light to inform and dictate your days. Don’t stray anywhere outside that beacon of light! And if you’re not yet certain about the mission God created you for, then focus on your identity as a child of God. Know who you are … so that you will also know who you are NOT.