Extrovert. Introvert. Perfectionist. Sanguine. Writer. Melancholic. Preacher. Dominant. Singer. 

Labels. I understand them, but I dislike them – and I’m not just talking about the negative ones.

Some years ago, I was being interviewed for a job, and the interviewer asked about my personality type. I understood where they were coming from, but I responded, quite nicely, “I don’t do labels.” 
I was still offered the job – but that’s how much I dislike labels.

A few reasons below why you shouldn’t label yourself in certain ways:

(1)Labels Put You In A Box.
Can you describe God in one word? Nope. Why? He’s multi-dimensional and multi-faceted. 
Well, you were made in the image of God.

Stamping yourself with labels limits you and makes you operate within the confines of that one-worded box. Remember, you are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional – just like your Father. One word cannot describe you as a person.

(2)Labels Limit Your Perception Of Yourself.
When you constantly tag yourself a certain way, it becomes difficult for you to see yourself any other way, no matter how cute the label might seem to be. Also, words are powerful – and labels are self-prophetic. Labeling yourself a certain way confines you to only that realm.

(3)Labels limit People’s Perception Of You.
I was discussing with someone about an upcoming event. She then went on to describe my tastes concerning the event – and it was a very far cry from what I preferred. I stopped her and told her I didn’t like what she was describing. She insisted it was what I would like – because of my temperament (referring to Tim Lahaye’s book.)

I was so, so irritated! She didn’t know my tastes at all, but she had mentally put me in a slot because of a textbook label. 

(4)Labels influence People’s Perception Of You.
This is different from the previous point. When you tag yourself, people form an opinion of you – before they know you.

If I had stated a certain personality type in the interview I mentioned above, it would have influenced their perception of me – whether or not they admitted it or were aware of it. And I wanted to be judged based solely on my work, not a textbook tag.

(5)Labels Limit Your Abilities And Opportunities.
I recently listened to a snippet of T.D. Jakes talk on this same topic – and I went, “Yes! Exactly!”

See, labels can limit your opportunities, because if you tag yourself only as a “Preacher”, people won’t see you any other way and you would only be given preaching opportunities. 

So, instead of saying, “I am an XYZ”, you can say “I am currently an XYZ” or “I currently do XYZ.”
This allows you to expand and evolve into different dimensions – and makes it difficult for you to be limited by people. It also creates a myriad of opportunities one label cannot create. 

You are a being with enormous potential. Don’t limit yourself to one category.

(5)People Change.
…and this is one major reason why you shouldn’t label yourself in certain ways. No matter your present temperament or preferences, you can change: 
A “Perfectionist” single lady can become a relaxed “anything goes” mum after marriage. A “disorderly Sanguine” can become an organized Christian with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Your tastes will evolve or mature as you grow older; life’s experiences will work on you; certain relationships will deeply impact you; most importantly, as you grow in God, He works to conform you into the image of Christ – and that will make certain labels obsolete.
People change.

Now, having said all that, you know those labels like “Child of God,” “Daughter of The Most High?”

Please, stamp them on me.😁😊

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