One of the reasons actors sometimes refuse otherwise good roles is because they may have already played a similar one in the past. Though they may have been wildly successful in it, they don’t want to play it again because they run the risk of being typecast. Once an actor is typecast, audiences struggle to see them in any other way and the market for their talent begins to narrow significantly. While typecasting may provide immediate success, ultimately, it can prove detrimental to one’s acting career.
Stereotyping doesn’t just happen in Hollywood, of course. It can happen to you, too. It happened to Jesus, after all.
And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
– Matthew 13:53-57
Jesus, the Messiah, showed up in the flesh and His own people rejected Him! Why? Typecasting.
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
– John 1:43-46
During Jesus’ incarnation, Nazareth was considered insignificant. So, to suppose the Messiah had come from there was a stretch in the mind of Nathanael. Such is the effect of typecasting.
I’ve written multiple blogs on the topic of labels, which are arguably the most efficient way of naming typecasts. When you’ve been labeled, it makes escaping typecasting significantly more difficult. So, it’s often best to shake off labels, even when they are “good” ones. Labels have a habit of defining us, and we have a habit of trying to live up to our labels. This is especially problematic for believers since the Lord promises to completely change your heart at salvation and then sanctify you throughout your life!
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.
– Romans 12:2
The Greek word translated “transformed” is the same root word translated “metamorphosis” in English. Ever seen a caterpillar metamorphosize into a butterfly? Talk about extremes! And even this example pales by comparison to the truly transformational work that God does in us (ref: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – we believers are “a new creation”).
God has big plans for all His children. We mustn’t allow the world (or even the flesh of other believers) to keep us down, reminding us of who we once were, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). I recommend reading the following two blogs after this one: Stop Calling Me That! and Don’t Allow Labels To Define Who You Are.
Boldly rejecting who you once were in this world is something you have every right to do. God says so. So do it, and sooner rather than later! Don’t make the mistake of thinking that since you were typecast a certain way as an unbeliever that clinging to your “good” labels will be of any benefit to you. For example, if you’re the beautiful leading lady (read Beauty Is As Beauty Does) or the handsome leading man, you might think, “Why would I ever want to drop this label?” Therein lies the deceitfulness of sin (the Holy Spirit had me teach an entire series on this topic).
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
– Isaiah 5:20
Clinging to “good” labels means you still value that system of thinking. It shouldn’t matter if you’ve been typecast as “good” or “bad”, you need to toss the entire system of thinking into the garbage can and be truly set free to be who you are now in Christ Jesus!
[Put] off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and [be] renewed in the spirit of your minds, and [put] on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
– Ephesians 4:22-24
My heart breaks daily over this topic, hence the writing of this blog. I’m so saddened by the misery I see, even in my own congregation. I see people who used to be so very excited about simply being saved. Too often these same people walk through the doors on a Sunday morning with a sour puss on their face. They may smile, but their own eyes betray the misery that exists just below the surface. How can this be, I ask myself? I’ve learned that it is due, in part, to typecasting.
People have such a difficult time breaking out of the mold in which they grew up in. That’s their “normal”. I call it “dysfunction junction” because it’s the place these same people go back to every day for a big dose of self-pity, misery, and self-induced suffering. They think they deserve it because of the sins in their past (some of them have fleshly people surrounding them, reminding them daily that their suffering is justified). So, they are stuck. What an awful way to live as a child of God.
My friend, if you are one of those people, just know that God the Holy Spirit had me write this blog especially for you!
It’s time to make a change.
It’s time to shed the labels.
It’s time to be who the Lord says you are.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
– 1 Corinthians 1:25-29
You are Christ’s own, my friend. He died for you. Have you forgotten your baseline joy over just this simple fact? Has it been so long since you’ve run naked to Him, warts and all, just to feel His loving embrace? Have you been wearing the old self as if you deserve it? Don’t.
It’s time. Today’s a perfect day to say “no” to who you used to be (even if you were awful yesterday). Make the decision and don’t let a single soul on this Earth try to stop you!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
– Romans 15:13
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
– Philippians 4:4
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins