countering identity lies: lessons from Jesus

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke describe Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by Satan for forty days. Surely it is no coincidence that this encounter with the devil preceded Jesus’ public ministry. After all, Jesus faced temptations that directly challenged His identity and trust in God at a critical point in his ministry.

Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-14 talk about three specific temptations that Jesus encountered. These three temptations mirror the lies we often believe about our own identity. By examining these temptations of Jesus and how He responded, we can uncover the false narratives we often believe about who we are and how we can counter these lies to live as God’s beloved children.

Late priest and author Henri Nouwen identified the following three lies of identity that can prevent us from experiencing the love of God and community: “I am what I do,” “I am what people say or think about me,” and “I am what I have.” Within this framework, let’s look at the temptations faced by Jesus (and us).

Temptation: Turn stones into bread. (Matthew 4:3, Luke 4:3)

The Lie: “I am what I do.”

This temptation targeted Jesus’ physical hunger, but it also represents a deeper message about proving worth through action. Satan challenged Jesus to use His power to turn stones into bread, pushing Jesus to demonstrate His supernatural abilities to satisfy Himself in the moment (taking control) instead of relying on God for provision.

This temptation hits at the heart of our orientation toward performance and achievement. We may believe that our value comes from what we can do—how productive, successful, or capable we are. The lie is that we are only as good as our achievements or how well we meet expectations.

In a culture that praises productivity and workaholism, we are tempted to measure our worth by how much we accomplish. Whether it’s career success, personal goals, or even spiritual achievements, we feel the pressure to constantly prove ourselves through what we do.

Jesus rejected this temptation by quoting Scripture, saying, “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 (CSB)). Jesus knew that His identity wasn’t tied to what He could do, but to His relationship with God. He didn’t need to prove His power or capability to establish His worth.

In Christ, our identity is not based on our accomplishments. We are not defined by our work, achievements, or how well we perform. Instead, our true worth comes from being children of God, loved not for what we do, but for who we are in Him.

Temptation: Jump from the temple for God’s rescue. (Matthew 4:5-6; Luke 4:9-11)

The Lie: "I am what people say or think about me."

In this temptation, Satan urged Jesus to jump from the temple, expecting God to send angels to rescue Him. This act would prove to everyone that Jesus was truly God’s Son, demonstrating His worth through a dramatic public display.

Like Jesus, we’re often tempted to seek validation from others, basing our sense of worth on what people say or think. This lie tells us that our identity is determined by external approval, recognition, and affection. It’s easy to believe that we are only valuable when others acknowledge or affirm us.

Perhaps we seek constant reassurance from friends, family, or colleagues. We might try to be “good enough” to gain love and affection or to avoid rejection. Likes and comments on social media, performance, and public perception become measuring sticks for our worth.

When Satan tempted Jesus to jump, He responded again with Scripture: “Do not test the Lord your God.” (Matthew 4:7 (CSB)). Jesus refused to base His identity on a need to prove Himself to others or even force God’s hand to demonstrate His love. He knew He was fully loved and secure in God without needing external validation.

Our worth is not based on what people say or think about us. We are already fully known, fully accepted, and fully loved by God. When we trust in God’s love for us, we no longer need to seek approval from others. We can rest in the truth that we are His beloved.

Temptation: Bow down for earthly power. (Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-7)

The Lie: "I am what I have."

In this temptation, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him. This was an appeal to take a shortcut to power and control—possessing everything without going through suffering, as Jesus ultimately did on the cross.

This temptation uncovers our tendency to place our security and identity in material possessions or worldly power. The lie is that our value is determined by what we have—our wealth, status, or influence. We could even measure our worth in possessing knowledge, ideas, wisdom, or relationships. We often believe that if we can accumulate enough, we will be secure, satisfied, and fulfilled.

Whether it’s money, possessions, knowledge, or relationships, we are tempted to believe that having more will make us complete. We seek comfort and control in material things, thinking they will provide the security we crave.

Jesus rebuked Satan and responded firmly, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” (Matthew 4:10 (CSB)). Jesus refused to find His identity in worldly power or possessions, trusting instead in God’s plan. Jesus knew that true security comes not from what we have, but from the God we worship, serve, and glorify.

Our identity is not in what we own or the power we hold. Material things, status, knowledge, and relationships can never truly satisfy us or give us lasting security. True contentment comes from trusting in God’s provision and finding our worth in Him, not in what we accumulate.

Embracing God’s Truth: "I am beloved."

At the heart of all these temptations is the core lie that we must prove our worth—to others, to ourselves, or to God. But Jesus’ responses teach us that our identity is already secure. We don’t need to jump through hoops to earn love or prove our worth, or gather and hoard possessions for our security.

Instead, the truth is that we are beloved by God. We are fully known, fully accepted, and fully loved because of who God says we are, not because of what we do, other people’s opinions of us, or what we possess. This truth frees us from the pressure of living out of these lies and instead invites us into a life of grace, love, and trust in our abundant God.

Let’s learn from the temptations of Jesus and reject the lies that often try to define us, instead embracing our true identity as God’s beloved. When we abide with Jesus in this spacious place, authentic freedom and transformation can begin.