Be Clear on Who You are Not!

John 1:20
He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
John 1:21
They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”

If you know yourself you interact with others in a much better way. If you know yourself, you present yourself to others in a confident way. If you know yourself, you will not be swayed by what others are trying to arm-twist you to be through various social pressures. Knowing yourself is foundational. One of the steps in knowing yourself is to know who you are not. Be clear on who you are not!

It is good to be sure who you are, but also who you are not. When provoked I don’t fight back unless in self-defense, because I am very sure that I am not a violent person. When invited to a meal, I will select a vegetarian diet because I am sure who I am, I am a vegetarian. It is good to know who you are and who you are not. Be clear on who you are not!

John the writer of the gospel, is also the writer of the three epistles and of the book of Revelation. In this writing, John is John the disciple of Jesus. John was also known as the beloved disciple. This John is different from John the baptist. John the Baptist was a cousin to Jesus. John the Baptist died much earlier in the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist came to prepare a way for Jesus. The other John was a disciple who went preaching beyond the time of Jesus. There is another John who is less known as John, and that is John Mark. Mark the Writer of the gospel of Mark. Mark the cousin to Barnabas. The John we are referring to today is John the Baptist.

John the Baptist started preaching in a unique way that caught the attention of the entire nation of Israel. He was different and powerful. He had authority that could only come from God. He was so popular that Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was, John 1:19. He immediately responded to them by denying the claims rumored around that he was the Messiah. He responded by first addressing the rumors, by declaring that he was not the Messiah. Be clear on who you are not!

There is what others say you are yet you are not, just be clear on who you are not. There is what is rumored about you and there is the truth, just be clear on who you are not! There is what is said, good or bad, but there is also the truth. Be clear on who you are not!

You cannot be clear on who you are not unless you are clear on who you are. When you know who you are, you also know who you are not. When you know who you are not, it follows that you know who you are. Be clear on who you are not!

When John was asked who he was, he immediately responded with an answer that dealt with their preconception of what was rumored around. A good preacher must know the world well and also know the word he/she preaches. The preacher who knows the world well will address what is going on in the minds of his/her listeners. Be clear on who you are not!

John knew that what they thought about him would distract them from understanding him, therefore he dealt with their thoughts first. He emptied them of lies and rumors before filling them with the truth. His response on who he was not left them curious and with more questions. Be clear on who you are not!

They further asked in amazement and wonder who he was, John 1:21. They asked him if he was Elijah and he responded that he was not. They asked him if he was the prophet and he said that he was not. All brands they tried giving him, he rejected because he knew who he was not and who he was. Be clear on who you are not!

We all get branded by people. From their limited knowledge, people will brand us. There are brands you will reject because you know very well that it is not you. John was asked if they could brand him Elijah and he refused that brand. There is what people think about us and there is what they try to brand us, do not be swayed, stay true to yourself. Be clear on who you are not!

The world may think I am a tribalist or racist, I must begin by being clear to the world that I don’t discriminate against people. I would not favor anyone because of tribe or race, and I will not be unfair to anyone because of tribe and race. I am not a tribalist. I may be many other things, but I am not a racist. Be clear on who you are not!

The world may try branding me, but I know who I am and who I am not. The world may brand me as being more educated, more experienced, and highly placed than others, but I know I am not better than others. I remain humble, I am not better than others and I don’t accept my fellow human beings to pay homage to me that is due to deities. I am humble because I know who I am and who I am not. Be clear on who you are not!

I relate to the latest fashions of dress, music, etc., by being clear who I am and who I am not. The whole world may be traveling to one place to enjoy a sporting event and while at it enjoy the pleasures of this world. I would not go to such an event. The media and social media may hype the event, but I will not go. This is because I know who I am and who I am not. Be clear on who you are not!

Advertisers may want to lure me to spend more than I earn so that I feel great. The reason why i will not fall for that trap is that I know who I am and who I am not. I will not pretend to be wealthier than I am. I will not raise my cost of life to please society. I know who I am and who I am not. I know I can afford a two-day annual holiday and I cannot afford a five-day holiday. I know who I am and who I am not. Be clear on who you are not!

May God help us to properly understand and accept ourselves, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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