Empowered Identity: Embracing God's Call for All
Summary
The story of Deborah and Jael in Judges 4 and 5 offers a powerful reminder of how God raises up unexpected people—often women—to lead, deliver, and nurture His people. In a time when Israel was lost and oppressed, God called Deborah, a prophet and judge, to lead with wisdom and courage. She not only guided the nation but also empowered others, like Barak and Jael, to step into their God-given roles. Jael’s boldness in defeating Sisera is a vivid picture of how God can use anyone, regardless of gender or background, to bring about victory and freedom.
This narrative challenges the cultural and religious misunderstandings that have sometimes limited women’s roles in the church and society. Jesus and Paul, when understood in their historical context, were radically empowering toward women, inviting them into leadership, teaching, and partnership in the gospel. The heart of God is for both men and women to walk together, each fully alive in their identity and calling.
Proverbs 31 is often misread as a checklist for women to achieve, but in reality, it is a poem—a mother’s wisdom to her son, painting a picture of noble character. It’s not about performance or striving, but about posture: a life surrendered to God, rooted in identity, and bearing fruit naturally. The true strength and dignity described in Proverbs 31 flow from knowing who we are in Christ, not from outward achievement or comparison.
Identity is at the core of our spiritual journey. Many struggle with self-criticism, comparison, or false images of themselves, often shaped by culture, upbringing, or even misunderstandings in the church. But God calls us to see ourselves as He does: beloved, empowered, and radiant. When we align our thinking with His truth, we are freed from striving and can walk in the fullness of our calling—whether as mothers, daughters, or as the collective bride of Christ.
Letting God speak identity over us is an act of surrender and trust. It means allowing His grace to cover our imperfections and His love to define our worth. As we receive His words, we are equipped to love others, to serve with joy, and to live out our destiny—not in competition or comparison, but in the freedom of being His sons and daughters.
Key Takeaways
- God Empowers the Unexpected
God delights in raising up those whom society might overlook—like Deborah and Jael—to lead, deliver, and nurture His people. Their stories remind us that God’s calling is not limited by gender, background, or circumstance. When we listen to His voice and step out in faith, we become instruments of His victory and freedom for others. [04:23]
- True Strength Flows from Identity, Not Performance
The noble character described in Proverbs 31 is not a checklist to achieve, but the natural fruit of a life rooted in God. When our identity is anchored in Christ, strength, wisdom, and dignity flow from within, freeing us from the pressure to perform or compare ourselves to others. This inward posture is what sustains us through every season. [19:28]
- The Battle for Identity Is Won in the Mind
The enemy often attacks our sense of worth and identity, tempting us to believe lies about ourselves. Transformation comes as we align our thoughts with God’s truth, rejecting self-criticism and embracing the names He calls us: beloved, friend, saint, and ambassador. Our fruitfulness in life and relationships is directly tied to how we see ourselves in Him. [27:11]
- Seasons Change, but Our Value Remains
Roles and seasons in life—such as motherhood—may shift, but our value and purpose in God never diminish. When our identity is wrapped up in a role, God invites us to let Him redefine us for new seasons, trusting that our worth is not in what we do, but in who we are to Him. This process can be uncomfortable, but it leads to deeper intimacy and freedom. [29:14]
- Letting God’s Love Define Us Brings Freedom
Comparison and striving are traps that rob us of joy and wholeness. When we let God’s love and grace speak over us, we are freed from the need to measure up or compete. Embracing our identity as His beloved—individually and as the bride of Christ—enables us to walk in confidence, bless others, and fulfill our unique calling. [37:06]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - The Story of Jael and the Tent Peg
[00:54] - Honoring Mothers in All Seasons
[02:23] - Introduction to Judges and Deborah
[03:27] - Deborah’s Leadership and God’s Empowerment
[04:52] - Israel’s Oppression and Cry for Deliverance
[05:42] - Deborah, Barak, and the Call to Battle
[06:59] - Jael’s Bold Act and Victory
[08:41] - Deborah’s Song and the Role of Spiritual Mothers
[10:06] - God’s Design: Sons and Daughters Together
[11:12] - Jesus and Paul: Empowering Women
[14:13] - The True Meaning of “Helper”
[15:32] - Proverbs 31: A Mother’s Wisdom
[18:13] - Performance vs. Posture in Proverbs 31
[23:09] - Strength, Valor, and True Identity
[26:40] - The Battle in the Mind and Renewed Thinking
[29:14] - Transitioning Seasons and Redefining Identity
[36:11] - The Trap of Comparison and Social Pressure
[37:06] - Letting God’s Love and Grace Define Us
[41:19] - Prayer and Blessing Over Women and the Church
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Empowered by Identity: Deborah, Jael, and the Freedom of God’s Love”
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### Bible Reading
- Judges 4–5 (The story of Deborah and Jael)
- Proverbs 31:10–31 (The poem of the noble woman)
- Romans 12:2 (“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” – alluded to in the sermon’s discussion of the battle for identity)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Judges 4–5, what roles do Deborah and Jael play in Israel’s deliverance? How are their actions described, and what stands out about their leadership?
2. According to Proverbs 31:10–31, what are some of the qualities and actions of the “noble woman”? How does the passage describe her strength and character?
3. The sermon mentions that Proverbs 31 is a poem written from a mother to her son, not a checklist for women. How does this context change the way we read the passage? [16:03]
4. In the sermon, what are some of the ways the enemy attacks our sense of identity and worth? [26:40]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Deborah and Jael—two women in a male-dominated culture—to lead and deliver Israel? What does this say about how God views leadership and calling? [04:23]
2. The sermon says that true strength and dignity come from knowing who we are in Christ, not from outward achievement or comparison. How does this idea challenge the way we often measure our value? [19:28]
3. The battle for identity is described as being “won in the mind.” What does it look like to “align our thinking with God’s truth” in practical terms? [27:11]
4. The sermon talks about seasons changing—like moving from motherhood to a new stage of life—and how our value remains the same. Why is it sometimes hard to let God redefine our identity in new seasons? [29:14]
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### Application Questions
1. Deborah empowered Barak and Jael to step into their God-given roles. Is there someone in your life you can encourage or empower this week? What would that look like? [05:42]
2. The sermon challenges us to let go of comparison and striving. What is one area of your life where you feel pressure to “measure up” or compete with others? How can you invite God’s love to define you instead? [37:06]
3. Proverbs 31 is often used as a checklist for women, but the sermon says it’s about posture, not performance. Are there expectations—either from yourself or others—that you need to release in order to live more freely as God’s beloved? [18:13]
4. The enemy attacks our identity with lies and self-criticism. What is one negative thought or label you often believe about yourself? What is a truth from God’s Word you can use to replace it? [27:11]
5. The sermon describes a season where a woman’s identity was wrapped up in her role as a mom, and God invited her into a new season. Have you ever experienced a time when your identity was tied to a role or achievement? How did God meet you in that transition? [29:14]
6. The pastor shared a prophetic declaration over his wife, speaking life and identity over her. Is there a Scripture or encouraging word you can speak over yourself or someone else this week? [33:40]
7. The sermon ends with a call to let God’s love and grace define us, not our performance. What is one practical step you can take this week to receive God’s love more deeply—maybe through prayer, journaling, or talking with a trusted friend? [37:06]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God to speak His identity and love over each person, breaking off comparison, striving, and any false labels. Pray for courage to step into new seasons and to empower others as Deborah did.
Devotional
Day 1: God Empowers Women to Lead and Deliver
Throughout history, God has raised up women to lead, deliver, and bring about His purposes, even in times and cultures where this was unexpected or countercultural. The story of Deborah and Jael in Judges 4-5 is a powerful reminder that God’s calling and empowerment are not limited by gender or societal expectations. Deborah, a prophet and judge, led Israel with wisdom and courage, while Jael acted decisively to bring victory. Their stories encourage all women—and indeed all believers—to listen to God, walk in wisdom, and step boldly into the roles He calls them to, knowing that He delights in using those who are willing and available. [09:21]
Judges 4:4-9 (ESV)
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand’?” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step out in courage or leadership, even if it feels unexpected or outside your comfort zone?
Day 2: True Identity Flows from Intimacy with God, Not Performance
The foundation of a fruitful and noble life is not outward achievement or striving, but a heart rooted in intimacy with God and a secure identity as His beloved. Proverbs 31 is often read as a checklist, but its true message is about posture, not performance—a life surrendered to God, from which fruit naturally flows. When we know who we are in Christ, we are freed from the pressures of comparison and perfectionism, and we can walk in strength, dignity, and wisdom. This identity is cultivated over a lifetime of sitting with the Lord, allowing His words to define us rather than the voices of culture or our own self-criticism. [19:42]
Proverbs 31:10-31 (ESV)
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel pressure to perform or compare yourself to others, and how can you intentionally root your sense of worth in God’s love and truth today?
Day 3: Embracing and Speaking True Identity Breaks Off False Labels
Many of us carry false identities or labels—shaped by our upbringing, culture, or even misunderstandings in the church—that keep us from walking in the fullness of who God says we are. The journey to wholeness involves allowing God to rewrite our identity, breaking off lies and curses, and receiving His prophetic declarations over us. When we align our thoughts with His, we move from striving and self-criticism to freedom and fruitfulness. Speaking and receiving words of life—over ourselves and others—can be a powerful act of faith that helps us step into our true calling as sons and daughters, ambassadors of the King. [41:19]
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Reflection: What is one negative label or lie you have believed about yourself, and how can you replace it today with God’s truth about your identity?
Day 4: Strength and Dignity Come from Knowing Who You Are in Christ
True strength is not about control, loudness, or outward displays, but about an inner confidence that comes from knowing who you are in Christ. When you are rooted in God’s love and see yourself as He sees you—worthy, chosen, and dearly loved—strength and dignity become your clothing. This inner security enables you to encourage others, steward what God has given you, and walk through every season with grace. The world may value image and independence, but God’s vision is for His people to walk in substance, mutual respect, and partnership, lifting up the broken and living as empowered ambassadors of His kingdom. [26:26]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Reflection: How would your actions and words change today if you truly believed you are God’s workmanship, created for a unique purpose?
Day 5: Letting God’s Love Define You Brings Freedom from Comparison
Comparison is a thief of joy and a barrier to living in the fullness of God’s design. When we let God’s love and grace cover us, we are freed from the need to measure up to others or to the world’s standards of perfection. Instead, we can receive His affirmation, rest in our identity as His beloved, and extend that same love to others. The invitation is to let God love you deeply, to allow His words to wash over you, and to stop striving for approval. As you do, you become a radiant reflection of His grace, able to walk in freedom, joy, and peace, blessing those around you. [38:04]
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Reflection: Where do you find yourself comparing your life or worth to others, and how can you intentionally receive and rest in the Father’s love for you today?
Quotes
In the midst of all this, we read in Judges 4 and 5 about the children of Israel, they do it again. I know, crazy. What is wrong with them? So, thank God the church has moved beyond that and we don't we just keep going from glory to glory and all the stuff, right? [00:04:28]
So it says that Israel goes back to doing evil. So it says that God surrenders them to King Jabin who ruthlessly oppressed Israel for 20 years. And after 20 years, think about that. After 20 years, they're so slow. It says the Israel Israelites cry out to God with repentant hearts. [00:04:49]
And in the passion has this footnote. It says, "Would that there were mothers of God's people to lead them in the power of God's spirit into God's victories." Amen. And you know, it's not about men or women. The scriptures talk about the earth groaning for the manifestation of the sons and daughters to arise into their identity and their destiny is basically what it's saying. [00:09:40]
We were created to walk step in step together, right? And so it's just I I love this story. Um JL, it's a it's a happy Mother's Day story. So, and maybe some of you I'm not saying do this like in the natural, but like maybe there are some things that that you as as mothers, as as women of God, that there's some things that maybe you do need to take the tent peg and a hammer and and drive the the stake right through it into the ground, right? Amen. Yeah. Absolutely. [00:10:23]
I think those come through a lot of different things. I think sometimes it's through our own filter. Sometimes it's the way we were raised, the words that were spoken over to us. Um, sometimes it's misunderstandings in the church and some of the text. Again, Jesus and Paul were two of the most empowering people for women. Think about their culture and in their culture, how they Jesus saw women, talked to them, taught them all the stuff that you weren't supposed to do. And Jesus did it. [00:11:06]
Paul comes along and he has a few passages that that we get a little confused with, but again, he's dealing with a lot of brand new churches that are coming out of pagan cultures and they're, you know, they're coming to the faith, but they're trying to work through some of this stuff and he's addressing specific situations in specific churches, right? Paul would be a hypocrite and a double-minded person if if he did that. But he also was also teaching women, empowering women, inviting them on mission trips, telling them to, you know, lead uh house churches, all those kinds of things, right? [00:11:51]
But in in our culture, a lot of women do, right? I mean, there's there's a lot to do, a lot of layers and things and and you guys do a lot of things to make yourself beautiful, right? But I but you need you need a mirror that magnifies. You need bright lights. And I thought, my goodness, if I spent that much time sitting in front of something that magnified and highlighted all like goodness, I would probably be more critical of myself, too. [00:13:30]
And yet we don't understand the the value of that word that it's the word in the new test in the Old Testament that's used 19 times. 16 times it's used. It's used for God himself in his relationship towards us. Like that's amazing to me, right? It it's not that you're lowly and unworthy and just here to help and whatever. Like he is our helper, right? [00:14:16]
And so in a culture that exalts independence over intimacy and image over substance, the biblical vision of a woman of noble character stands out with striking beauty and depth. So this isn't about a moment. It's about a lifetime surrendered walking through the seasons of life and applying its lessons learned. And so these these verses aren't meant to make women feel inadequate at all. [00:19:20]
It's not about what she does. It's about who she is. Everything flowing from the place of identity, healed, whole, and saved. And so, Proverbs 31, starting in 10, it says, "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. [00:19:48]
She is clothed with strength and dignity. And she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all. [00:22:03]
Translated from Hebrew, it means strength, might, valor, and capability. You when you think about it in this context, think about Deborah and JL, right? Strength, might, valor, and capability. So it doesn't begin with outward achievement but the with inward reverence. It's birthed from a lifetime of sitting with the Lord. That's the foundation of our identity. [00:23:13]
However, when we know who we are in Christ, who he says we are, how much he loves us, something rises up in us that we become more fruitful. We encourage others. And this again is a mother writing to her son and not from the perspective of no woman is good enough for my son. That's not the perspective here. She's reminding him of who he is. You are a king. You are meant to lift up the broken, right? [00:24:27]
And so, what is it? A virtuous woman. She fears the Lord above all. And I'm talking about awe and reverence and devotion. That's the the root of her wisdom and strength. She is trustworthy and uplifting. She understands her partnership is rooted in mutual respect. She works willingly and diligently, whatever she does as unto the Lord. Right? She speaks with wisdom and kindness. Her words don't wound, but they heal. She knows when to speak and when to be silent. Her wisdom is godly, not worldly. [00:25:44]
And when we come into alignment, it's like it doesn't matter what I see in the mirror. Doesn't matter what the enemy is saying. Doesn't matter what somebody else says. I know what he has said about me. And how many of you know that that takes a little bit of convincing sometimes? Like sometimes I don't I don't feel that way, but he calls me these things. He calls us friend. He calls us saints. He calls us all these amazing things, co-airs and sons and daughters. [00:26:56]
But when it does, it's an opportunity to draw close to him and walk with him and go, what do you want to speak to these things? And it might be a test of your faith. you know, it's like I thought I believe, but like in the midst of it's like I don't know right now cuz I'm not seeing it or you know, it's in the waiting, it's in the disappointment, all all those things, right? But some of it is our identity as well. [00:32:57]
Comparison kills. Like none of us need to compare ourselves to anybody else in this room or anybody else in the world. Bill Johnson says this that, you know, if if we only knew how he see us, we'd never want to be anybody else. He's the one who's who's created you perfectly in his image and likeness. [00:38:04]
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