Breaking News: Name-Calling Affects Identity

Name-Calling Results in Loss of Identity

“She is a jerk!” “You are an idiot!” “He is a racist!” “They are all a bunch of cowards!” “You are an embarrassment and disappointment to our family!” “He is a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack.”

Why would I begin a devotion with names such as these? The answer - to draw your attention to names I have recently read on Facebook and in the news media where people were lashing out at those who did not align themselves with the same political party or ideology as they did. I gasped when I read a Facebook post that proclaimed, “If you voted for _____, you are TRASH. And I even heard one minister on livestream say, “If you voted for _____, you are not a Christian!”

Having a different opinion on issues is good for discussion points; resorting to name-calling is not good. Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines name-calling as: the use of offensive names especially to win an argument or to induce rejection or condemnation (as of a person or project) without objective consideration of the facts. Synonyms for name-calling are: character assassination, mudslinging.

In all fairness, name-calling does not limit itself to our political system. It happens at school where kids are bullied; it happens in homes where one or both spouses attempt to degrade the other; it happens in the workplace, or any place where opinionated people with insecurities of their own resorts to downgrading others.

I cringe every time I hear derogatory names. One of the reasons that it makes me cringe is it brings up memories of a time in my life when I was a recipient of false accusations, blame, critical remarks, and yes, called degrading names not suitable for print. As a former school teacher, as well as having been in women’s ministry for years, I have also heard horrific stories of the effects that name-calling has on them.

One of the most damaging effects is that it impacts a person’s identity. Often times, the hurtful label becomes a part of who that person believes he/she is, and their self-worth is destroyed and they have no concept of being loved, valued, and accepted.

Good news: Our identity is not in a name that man may call us. Our identity comes from our creator-the one who refers to His children as:

· Salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)

· Treasured (Psalm 83:3)

· Accepted (Roman 15:7

· Favored (Psalm 84:11)

· Valued (Matthew 6:26)

And the list goes on and on of how Jesus refers to us. So, take those degrading names that you might have been called and replace them with your identity in Christ Jesus.

In addition: Let’s all work together to restore honor and respect back into our culture with another name Jesus calls us and that is Light of the World: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven Matthew 5:14-16.”

Reflection

Have you ever been the recipient of a degrading name? If so, describe how it made you feel?
Have you called others derogatory names when they did not agree with your point of view on any given subject matter?
How does the list of names that Jesus calls us change your perspective of your identity, as well as how you see and talk to others?

Goals

What is one specific step you can take to be a part of establishing honor and respect back into a culture so that identity can be restored back into your life and in the lives of others?

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)