When Impact Becomes an Idol

Don’t confuse what you do with who you are

If you make your impact your identity, you’re going to be really disappointed.

I’ve had so many conversations with good-hearted leaders lately. People who genuinely want to see God’s kingdom come. Who want to make a difference. Who want to be faithful with their gifts.

But I’ve noticed something in them—and in myself.

It’s dangerously easy to confuse our impact with our identity.

There’s this moment in the gospels that’s always stayed with me. Jesus sends out the 72 to go do ministry—cast out demons, heal the sick. They come back pumped. “Even the demons listen to us!” they say.

And Jesus, in His wisdom, says something unexpected.

He doesn’t say, “You’re right, you crushed it.”

He says, “Don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

He’s not rebuking their joy—but He is redirecting their identity.

He’s warning them: don’t build your soul on what you do. Build it on whose you are.

Here’s the danger of tying your identity to your impact: you don’t actually control your impact.

You can disciple someone faithfully… and watch them walk away.

You can invest years into a ministry… and watch it crumble.

You can give your best effort… and see no fruit.

If your sense of self rises and falls with your results, you’re in for a rollercoaster of discouragement.

But if you’re grounded in being a son or daughter of God—if your identity is already settled—then your impact is just the cherry on top.

There’s a phrase that’s shaped me for years:

“The day I met Jesus, my life was complete. Everything after that is extra credit.”

So let me ask you:

Is your impact your identity…

or is it just extra credit?

You were made for goodness,
Phil