Identity denotes who someone is, the name of a person, or the beliefs that make a particular person different from others. Our names are a specific part of our identity. When Daniel and the other Hebrew children were taken into captivity in Babylon, their names were changed.
These boys were, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and had the ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom could be taught the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:4) It was customary for a person’s name to be changed to denote their change in station or position in life. Their Hebrew names, which they received at their circumcision, revealed a picture of the one true God: Daniel—God is my Judge; Hananiah—The grace of the Lord; Mishael—He that is the strong God; Azariah—The Lord is a help. However, to make them forget the God of their fathers, they were given names which denoted Chaldean idolatry.
Daniel became Belteshazzar, which signifies the keeper of the hidden treasures of Bel; Hananiah’s name was changed to Shadrach, meaning inspiration of the sun, which the Chaldeans worshipped; Mishael became Meshach, meaning ‘of the goddess Shach,’ under which name Venus was worshipped; and Azariah’s name was changed to Abed-nego, meaning servant of the shining fire, which the Chaldeans also worshipped (Daniel 1:7). (I want to make a point here: Just because the devil has renamed you does not mean God has changed or forgotten your true name). For He is faithful.
No matter what names other people want to call you, as a born-again believer, your identity is in Christ. Believe it. Understanding your identity in Christ must start with knowing and understanding who He is, what He says about Himself, and about you. Your identity is defined when you are made in His image (Romans 8:29).
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