Imposter Syndrome and the Christian Life

Have you heard of the imposter syndrome?

The imposter syndrome is the name our culture has given to the constant feeling that you do not belong to your own community or that your accomplishments are illegitimate. Far from humility, this is an irrational state of paranoia that causes us to think of ourselves more as we think less of ourselves. I sometimes experience this and maybe you do too.

I like how one writer defines it: “Impostor Syndrome is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary.” And she goes on to describe three major manifestations she has noticed of the imposter syndrome:

1.) Feeling like a fake

2.) Appealing to luck

3.) Minimizing an accomplishment

Do you feel like a fake or a fraud in your Christian life? Perhaps you look at other Christians and see how they keep up a daily Bible reading plan, or how they know Greek and Hebrew words, or how they display joy and sincerity seemingly all the time. Maybe you think to yourself, I am not one of them, I hope no one finds out!

If this is how you feel, remember that Paul had more “reason for confidence in the flesh” than anyone (Philippians 3:4). But he counted his outward markers of belonging “as loss for the sake of Christ” (v. 7). Why? Because it kept him from understanding that true worth and belonging is found in Christ.

I am not a Christian today because I chose God, or because my family chose God for me, but I am a Christian because God chose me. And this was not random chance, nor abstract fate, nor sheer luck. God’s choice to save me, Christ’s choice to die for me, was a well-planned, intentional act of grace and love. ..but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

For those Christians who worry about their salvation, know that Christ died for all your sins. Know that Christ gave you his righteousness. And when you worry, don’t feed your worries by asking: Have I done enough? Instead, calm the storm inside you by rejoicing: Christ has done it all! “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Moving from Imposter Syndrome to Imitation

Therefore, the way out of the paranoia of imposter syndrome is to focus on Christ and to imitate him. Imposter syndrome paralyzes us because it focuses inward (to our own selves). It tells us we are not like others, and we never will be. But the Bible shows us a different way to live. A way to look to Christ, and in doing so finding perfect peace for the present and future.

As quoted above, Paul notes that God “predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son.” This verse shows us how we grow: As a part of God’s glorious plan, we are to acknowledge our difference from Christ so we can begin to conform to his image. This process acknowledges that we are not there yet. Consider also 1 Corinthians 11:1 in which Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” And 3 John 1:11 which says, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.”

The message of the Bible is clear: We are not perfect but having been saved by our perfect Lord Jesus Christ we are to focus on him and to imitate him. Do you know the peace that comes from believing in Jesus Christ?

You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

Let's enjoy a peaceful weekend folks!