Finding Your True Identity in Christ: Lessons from Jephthah's Story
Have you ever felt like you're playing a guessing game with God? Like you're trying to figure out who He is and what He wants from you without having all the pieces? This is exactly what happened to Jephthah in the Bible, and his story teaches us powerful lessons about identity and faith.
Who Do You Think God Is?
When we base our faith on the wrong facts, we risk losing what matters most. Many of us are pursuing a relationship with God by simply guessing about who He is. We close off possibilities based on assumptions rather than knowledge, much like playing the game "Guess Who" without seeing any of the faces.
According to Pew Research, while 90% of Americans believe in some higher power, only 56% believe in God as described in the Bible. What we believe about God makes all the difference in how we live our lives.
The Story of Jephthah: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Jephthah appears in the book of Judges during a time when Israel was in a cycle of disobedience. Like many of the judges, Jephthah had a complicated background:
- He was the son of Gilead and a prostitute
- His half-brothers drove him away, saying "You will not get any inheritance in our family"
- He fled to the land of Tob where "a gang of scoundrels" (or "worthless fellows") gathered around him
- Despite his outcast status, he became known as a "mighty warrior"
When the Ammonites attacked Israel, the elders of Gilead came to Jephthah asking for help. His response reveals his wounded identity: "Didn't you hate me and drive me from my father's house? Why do you come to me now when you're in trouble?"
How Does a Wounded Identity Affect Our Decisions?
Jephthah agreed to lead the fight against the Ammonites, but his insecurity led him to make a tragic vow. He promised God: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."
God gave Jephthah victory, but when he returned home, his only daughter came out to meet him, dancing with tambourines. Despite his devastation, Jephthah felt bound to keep his vow.
This tragic decision stemmed from Jephthah's mistaken understanding of God's character. He was raised in a time when pagan gods demanded sacrifices, and his fractured upbringing meant he didn't fully understand the true God of Israel.
Why Do We Struggle with Our Identity?
Research shows that 90% of adults and adolescents struggle with self-esteem. We tend to see ourselves in the most negative light possible, focusing on flaws rather than strengths.
Like Jephthah, many of us feel we have something to prove. We work harder, stay later, and push ourselves to demonstrate our worth. But our identity shouldn't be defined by our circumstances or actions—it should be defined by God.
How Can We Discover Our True Identity?
1. Know who God truly is, not who you think He is
Psalm 139:7-12 reminds us that God is everywhere: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."
To know God better:
- Add daily time of worship
- Join a Bible study
- Find a spiritual mentor
- Apply the BLESS principles (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat together, Serve, Share your story)
2. Live out your true identity in Christ, not your insecurity
Psalm 139:13-16 tells us: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Ask yourself:
- What choices are you making because you aren't confident in who you are?
- Are you sacrificing your time doing the wrong things to gain approval?
- Are you sacrificing your identity to fit in with the wrong people?
- Are you sacrificing your joy by listening to the wrong voices?
What Does God Actually Want From Us?
God has given us clear instructions that are far simpler than we make them:
- Love God
- Love others
- Make disciples
These aren't complicated guessing games—they're straightforward commands that give our lives purpose and meaning.
Life Application
This week, stop playing the guessing game with God and start intentionally discovering who He truly is and who you are in Him. Here are some practical steps:
Commit to daily Bible reading to learn God's true character rather than relying on assumptions.
Identify your "five" - five people you can pray for, connect with, and potentially share your faith with.
Practice the BLESS principles - Begin with prayer, Listen to others, Eat together, Serve, and Share your story.
Examine your decisions - Are you making choices based on insecurity or on your true identity as God's beloved child?
Ask yourself: What am I basing my faith on? Am I continuing to guess what God wants, or am I taking time to know Him through His Word and through community?
Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You're called to do something special. When you base your faith on the right facts, you'll gain everything you need.