Who are you?
The Six Core Components of Identity Through the Lens of Purpose
The Illusion of Self-Knowledge
Most people believe they know themselves, but what they actually know is a version of themselves that has adapted to survive. That could be because it is human nature to seek validation, so rather that discovering our true identities we defer to what others tell us. It could also be because we are afraid to find out who we are because that it might not be what we want.
Basically, people who only know a false version of themselves think they can control their identities. But there is a problem with that line of thinking. You didn’t create yourself—you were created. You weren’t just formed—you were intended.
Your identity is not random—it is structured in service of a God-given purpose. Misunderstand the structure, and you drift from the purpose. So, if you want to know your purpose, getting your identity right is critical.
Identity as a Designed System
Your identity is the unique combination of traits and characteristics that distinguish you from others. But your identity is not a just collection of traits—it’s an integrated design.
When I first started studying Identity, I discovered personality assessments. I was utterly amazed at how just answering a few non-threatening questions could reveal so much about me. I was also shocked to learn I had been fighting against my nature for most of my adult life. I have personal experience in discovering what I just wrote above—the person I thought I knew was actually an adaptation on my true self, one I adapted to be as respected as my father.
The other thing I learned was, as important as knowing your real personality is, it is only a piece of the identity puzzle. While not an exhaustive list, I have found six components of identity that form a system to define the real you.
The six components:
Personality
Gender
GIFT
Love
Money orientation
Worldview
Four of these six components of your identity are not accidental—they are God-given for a specific purpose. You could say that Purpose is the organizing principle; identity is the delivery system.
The Six Core Components of Identity Through the Lens of Purpose
For the purposes of this article, I am just going to give you a thumbnail sketch of each component. In the next article I will get deeper and show how they integrate to form a picture of yourself that is practical and useful.
1. Personality: How You Execute Your Purpose
Personality is a measure of your behavior
It describes your tendencies that shape how you move, lead, build, relate
Not all personalities are suited for all assignments
Personalities are a gift from God, not something you can choose or change
Awareness of your personality is a key factor in being self-aware, which helps you to relate better to other personalities
Distortion: trying to execute someone else’s calling in someone else’s style
2. Gender: The Context of Your Calling
Gender is not incidental; it is part of how your purpose is expressed
Shapes roles, responsibilities, and relational dynamics
Tension arises when cultural narratives override design
Men and women think differently, and this affects your purpose and how you fulfill it
Your gender is a gift from God
3. GIFT: The Core Mechanism of Your Purpose
This is the clearest signal of what you were built to do
Your GIFT is the one talent you possess that can be developed to greatness
It is determined by the very unique way you think
Your GIFT is not for you—it’s for what you’ve been sent to impact
Using your GIFT leads to fulfillment
Underusing it leads to frustration; misusing it leads to distortion
God specifically chose your GIFT for you
4. Love: The Relational Expression of Your Purpose
Purpose is rarely fulfilled in isolation
How you give and receive love affects trust, influence, and connection
How you give and receive love was chosen for you by the Creator for a reason
Misalignment here limits the reach of your purpose
5. Money: The Resource Strategy for Your Purpose
Money is a tool, but your view of it determines how you deploy it
Some are wired to build, multiply, give, or steward
Misalignment here can choke off purpose or corrupt it
Whether you are prewired to think of money in a certain way is unclear. The fact that it affects your purpose is not
6. Worldview: The Interpreter of Your Purpose
Your worldview is a comprehensive, foundational framework of beliefs, values, and assumptions through which you interpret reality, understand the world, and act accordingly
It determines whether you even recognize your calling
It filters meaning, suffering, success, and obedience
A distorted worldview leads to a misinterpreted life
You can choose or modify your worldview
So, what’s the point?
If most people only have a distorted knowledge of their identities, it is no wonder so few find their purpose. But when you have an accurate understanding of each of these six aspects of you