Speaking at our Reality Student Apologetics Conference, J. Warner Wallace reasons that many Christians struggle with envy, anger, and insecurity because their identity is misplaced. Believers ought to realign their devotion so their identity is firmly rooted in Christ. Our 2025–2026 conference season invites you to consider how your identity fits within “The Story of Reality.” Join us at our California event April 24–25, 2026.
Transcript
Here’s the truth I know from ancient times from biblical Scripture: It turns out one identity is better than all the rest.
Now, the Christian story, I just want you to know, is an identity story. It’s an identity story from start to finish. Think about the Christian story. It starts off with what? Creation of Adam in the image of God. Identity. Then what’s the first thing that God tells Adam to do? Name all the other animals. Identity. Jesus comes. What’s his identity? God incarnate. A day will come for all of us when we will be in Heaven with God. His name will be written on your hand. You will be his. It’s an identity story from start to finish.
So, why is it that so many of us in this room came to this conference, and you said, “I’m at a Christian conference because I’m a Christian,” but I know your identity is not in Christ? What’s keeping us back? I’ll tell you. If I was to meet you, I doubt you would even mention your Christian identity. If I said, “Well, what do you do? What’s your story?” Even Christians will seldom say, “Well, first of all, I’m a Christ follower.” Why? Why don’t we do that? “I’m a student.” “I play this sport.” “I’m a detective.” “I work at this agency.” At some point, you’ll say you’re married or unmarried. You got kids or don’t have kids. But where is your Christian identity in all of this?
Let me ask you this question: Have you ever been, in the last year, jealous of anybody you saw online? A bit envious? You know why that’s happening? Your identity is in you. Ever feel like you’ve messed up? Somebody else does it better? Your identity is in you. Ever get angry about what’s happening in the world or overjoyed that we won an election? Where’s your identity? Ever felt sensitive that someone said something you took the wrong way? Your identity is in you. Have you ever felt like, “I just wish I had a little more of this or a little more of that”? Your identity is in you. You getting my point here, folks? Are you just tired of never being able to please your parents or your kids or your spouse or your boss? Your identity is in you. One thing it’s not—it’s not in Christ. If it was in Christ, you wouldn’t be struggling with these things. You’d have a certain sense of calm because you know who you are, and they don’t define me. Only Jesus defines me.
Now, why don’t we do it? When you leave here tonight, I just want you to be able to do this. I want you to be able to put your identity in Christ. Because I know what’s keeping you. Same thing that’s keeping me. Only two things, but the big one is this one: We have misplaced our devotion. You have misplaced your devotion. You will always identify with the thing you worship—the thing that’s of most value to you. That’s the thing with which you will identify. And be honest. A lot of times, it’s not God.