Our persona is who we are, our person. Our personality includes our patterns of thoughts, actions, and emotions. It’s also influenced by our temperament and experiences.
Our persona is who God says we are, and our personality must come into alignment with it.
Our persona is our spirit in union with God, our personality resides in our soul.
When Jesus asked the question “who do you say that I am” (Matthew 16: 15) he was not looking for compliments. He was leading up to a crucial point regarding identity.
When you know who you are. Then you know how you are supposed to live, both within yourself and towards the people around you. When they know your real identity, then others must act accordingly towards you.
Jesus wanted the disciples to understand his true identity because that revelation would shape their relationship with Him. We get to live out our truest identity before family, friends and others in a way that supports relationships and the journey we are on together.
People know that I will only speak what God is speaking, without fear or favoritism. They know that if God is silent on the matter, then I cannot be pressured into talking. This is my persona. It is me stepping into my calling and gifting, it is stepping back into my spirit, so that I am being Led by my spirit.
There’s a difference between our personality and our persona. My personality is that of a hardworking, quiet person who’s a loyal friend, deep thinker and always ready for some fun. Persona and personality are two different sides of the same coin. Together they make up the total of our truest identity. They are both relational and functional. It is a paradox. We are relational and functional in both areas. The point about paradox is what has precedence. That is mostly decided by circumstances and the need of the moment.
My family and friends do not need a prophet to show up all the time. Similarly, as a minister, people need me to show up within the scope of his calling as well as his personality.
When God initially shows up in our life and calls us to specific task. He is introducing us to our persona as he defines it. We meet he’s calling in our personality, because at that time, it is all we have. Our personality is never equal to the task. Initially we make excuses because we are undeveloped in our true identity.
Gideon was hiding out from the Midianites, threshing wheat in a wine press-Judges 6. When God showed up he immediately spoke to Gideon’s persona, calling him a valiant warrior and a deliverer who has strength. What followed is the usual pattern of behavior when a person is faced up to the other part of their identity. The fleece that Gideon laid before God was not about his guidance, it was about reassurance. Gideon needed confidence about his persona. If you will deliver Israel through me as you have spoken. He needed a sign that his persona was valid.
Moses faced a similar internal battle when God called him to deliver Israel from bondage (Exodus 3: 10-13). Where The Lord met him (in his calling) was in personality, and he was not up to it. A part of us has to grow up in our relationship with God. Moses had to see who he was in this next season of his life (exodus 7:1). If we do not see our persona, we cannot develop our truest identity. Also, if the people around us do not see our truest identity, then it’s hard for us to accomplish anything with them.
When Jesus asked who do you say that I am? He was looking to see if they perceived his persona. When Simon spoke out you are the Christ, the son of the living God. Something shifted in the heavens.
In that moment Simons own persona was revealed to him and the other listening-Matthew 16: 17-19. You are Peter and you will have keys to bind and loose. The revelation you perceive shall be the foundation of the church and hell will be defeated by it.
Champions are not made in the ring… they are only recognized there.
Your truest identity is composed of your persona and your personality.