The Trouble With Labels

Have you ever been labelled unfairly?

You know what I’m talking about.

As a kid I was labelled an underachiever. Somehow those labels tend to stick don’t they? Good, bad or otherwise, when labels are applied to us we tend to subconsciously embrace them, don’t we? (see my post on Limiting Beliefs)

So why is it that we human beings seem to feel such a deep need to apply labels to each other? And too frequently those labels are not necessarily accurate or positive and they end up doing more harm than good.

The problem is that when you label people, what you’re usually doing is pointing out what separates us, not what unites us. You’re pointing out what makes us different, not what makes us better.

And then, when we get labels applied to ourselves, we’re compelled to try and defend against those labels. I mean, it’s just a negative downward spiral.

Here’s a good example: someone who does not even know me would likely label me like this:

straight, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant male over 60.

In today’s current climate, those labels are not considered positive and people might naturally make negative assumptions about me based solely on those labels. Without even knowing me, knowing what’s in my heart, they would judge me.

So what’s the deal? What’s up with this? Why does this happen?

The Takeaway

For something that seems so complicated, the answers are very clear. And not surprisingly, they come from the Owner’s Manual of Life.

Do you remember the story from John 8:7 where Jesus is defending the adulteress?

It’s so powerful.

Jesus is being questioned by a group of Pharisees who are preparing to stone a known adulteress. Jesus replies to them:

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” NIV

In a not so subtle way Jesus is labeling all of us: sinners.

Then in verse 15, He makes it crystal clear when He says to the Pharisees:

“You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.” NIV

Because we’re all sinners, people are not ever going to stop looking at the wrong things. We’re just not going to stop looking at appearances and applying labels.

And as much resolve as we may have not to do that, occasionally, maybe even frequently, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

So here’s my question for you:

Do you embrace how this world seems to be determined to apply labels, or do you embrace how God labels us?

Wait? What? God labels us?

Yes, He most certainly does!

If you read through the Bible, almost always when God refers to us, His creation, He does so in a loving way.

So by far and away the best label ever, that negates every other label of this world is the one that God gives us, and that’s beloved.

Yeah, beloved!

I’ll accept that label. How about you?

Your Call to Action

In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel 15:7, the Lord God says to the prophet Samuel,

“The Lord does not look at things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” NIV

Words echoed hundreds of years later by Jesus in John 8:15.

Are you getting the message?

OK, so right there is your first step. Start looking at people’s hearts, not at their outward appearance.

But I have a couple of more steps you can take to help you focus on the heart, not the label.

First: forgive those that label you.

Sounds simple but it’s very difficult.

But if you remember that you are beloved, if you embrace that, you can handle it.

Second: Refuse to be someone that labels others.

This may even be a more difficult task. However, when you think about the fact that God labels us his beloved, that means the people you want label, well, God loves them every bit as much as He loves you.

They're beloved also.

And when you put it in that context, it’s kind of like, ah, how can I do that? How can I label someone negatively when God loves them too, just as much He loves me?

These are little things you must keep reminding yourself when you’re tempted to place a label people.

OK, third thing: You’ve heard it before. You need to start each day with prayer and quiet devotional time.

If you can start your day that way, then you get your heart and your mind in the right place. You will be less likely to do things like label people negatively.

If life really is about choices then choose to look at the One who loves you unconditionally, the One who calls you beloved!

It’s just that simple.

Until next time my friends: Stay strong, Keep the faith!

“And may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”