“I Am Who I Am. I Can’t Change.”
When people are called out for mistreating others, they will often say, “I am who I am. I can’t change.” This is a terrible thing to say, but the severity of the statement didn’t hit me until just now. They are invoking the name of God to justify their sin. In Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Here God gives us His name in both long form and shortened form. His name expresses, among other things, the eternity of His being, the eternity of His perfection and His existence outside of time.
Jesus invoked this name in John 8:58-59. “Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” The attempted stoning was a reaction to what was considered blasphemy. Any person who claims this name, other than God, is blaspheming (disrespecting or putting themself on par with God).
I find it interesting how even without knowledge of these passages and without knowing God’s name, people will accidently insult their creator to justify themselves. Humans are often egotistic and think of themselves as existing outside the universe God created. They see themselves as merely associating with it in a supposedly detached manner. But humans have an unconscious awareness of the spiritual realm and of God Himself. To invoke God’s name even unconsciously to justify their sin is indicative that deep down they know they are rebelling against Him.
It is important to note there are multiple reasons why someone might use these lines: “I am who I am. I can’t change.” One reason is they don’t want to change. Mistreating others and sin in general can be fun. It offers a rush of pride, dopamine, or adrenaline. The rush can be enough to keep someone in the habit of doing what they know to be wrong. When called out for it, they will attempt to justify it by claiming they can’t change. This will put the onus on the other person to decide the value of the relationship and determine whether they want to maintain it or find other company.
Another reason why someone might claim an inability to change is they think they are too broken to do so. This is driven by a deep insecurity. No one can change themselves without help. People need to put forth their own effort. Yes, but they also need help from a therapist or psychologist, family or friends, and God. People will insult their creator when they think they are beyond help. They attempt to cover up their insecurity with narcissistic grandstanding. Whether our sins are driven by evil desires or an attempt to escape pain, they aren’t too much for I AM. Being perfect, He is capable of helping us with our imperfections.
Source:
The NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 2011.