Understanding Our True Nature Through Scripture

Remember Whose You Are - Beginning Reflections

Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - Remember Whose You Are - p. 11

The Bible teaches that in Christ we are given a new identity. This identity affects how we view ourselves and others, including during our disagreements. But in conflict, we often forget this new identity and instead see ourselves according to more worldly views.

In our society, our identity is often defined by what we do as a profession – engineer, homemaker, teacher, nurse, business owner, military officer, politician, etc. We may see ourselves as the role we play in our families: wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, etc.

We may define our identity by our accomplishments – athletic victories, acclamation as an author or artist, a promotion in our workplace, recognition for top sales agent, achieving a high salary, having a number of children (or grandchildren!), etc.

Some people define themselves or others by their failures or struggles – unemployed, divorcee, alcoholic, deadbeat, angry person, diabetic, loser, homeless, disabled, depressed, and more.

Others identify themselves by their socioeconomic status, their racial or cultural background, their marriage status, or even their sexual orientation.

Accordingly, we tend to place a value on ourselves based on our self-proclaimed identity or by things that others have said about us. Sociologists call this self-esteem. In our western culture, we focus a great deal of attention on building up our self-esteem in order to validate our own worth.

The ways in which we identify and value ourselves affect how we respond to conflict. If someone says bad things about us or does something that embarrasses us or otherwise puts us down, we feel devalued. Our self-worth is diminished. And we may become angry or depressed. We may feel worthless. We respond with automatic

responses of fighting back, fleeing from the situation, or freezing, unsure what to do. Thus, our own perspective of identity and self- worth has a direct impact on how we will respond to others in conflict.

But God gives us new identity with precious value. Our heavenly Father has called us to be His children, disciples of Jesus, ambassadors for Christ. Accordingly, this new perspective challenges us to live a new life in Him.

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Next post: Who Am I by Nature?

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This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:

• Bible study format through Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation OR Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?

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