And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God … ” —Matthew 3:17-4:1, 3a NLT

In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear writes that one of the most effective ways to bring about desired changes in our lives is through our identity. Instead of saying, “I want to get fit by running,” you say, “I am a runner.” Instead of saying “I’m trying to quit smoking,” you say, “I’m not a smoker.” The point? Our understanding of our identity matters profoundly and directly influences our behavior.

This, of course, has spiritual implications as well. I love that God identifies Jesus as “His Son” at Jesus’ baptism: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy”  (Matthew 3:17b NLT). What an amazing identity to be given!

But then, immediately following, we find in Matthew 4:3 that the tempter questions Jesus’ very identity. “If you are the Son of God …” he begins, then follows the temptation for Jesus to prove it. The way he asks Jesus to prove it is an effective lie he still uses against us today: prove it by what you have, prove it by what you do, prove it by what others say you are. Prove it.

We read that Jesus rebuked Satan and did not give in to the temptation. Jesus knew He didn’t need to prove anything. He believed the words spoken over Him, that He was God’s beloved Son.

In his poem, “I Am Son,” Drew Jackson makes a beautifully bold declaration about where our true identity comes from:

“There’s only one Voice that
Can tell me who I am.
Understand, I am son—a beloved one.”

We, too, have only One Voice that is worthy of naming us. And He calls us “His beloved.”

January is a popular time to start upholding New Year’s resolutions and tackling self-improvement goals, and I think that’s admirable. But where are you saying “I will ________ to prove that I am ______”? What would change if you said boldly to yourself, “I am loved by God?”

My prayer for you today is this: that any changes you attempt to make, you are making them with your sails filled up with the wind of God’s love. That you are caring for your body because you are God’s beloved, not because you want to be worthy of love. I pray that you are adopting healthier habits—spiritually, mentally, physically, relationally—knowing that you are already fully loved, not to “prove it” to anyone (including yourself). Many voices will tell us lies about our identity, but there is only One Voice that can tell us who we truly are: His Beloved.

Lord, help us remember to listen to Your kind voice, the one that calls us to You in a loving way. Thank You for calling us Your own. Help us live out of this true identity and forsake all others that tempt us to believe lies about ourselves.

In His love,
Jayna

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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