The word ”stereotype” was first used in 1798 to describe a printing method developed by French printer Firmin Didot. This technique involved creating a solid plate of type to mass-produce printed material, making printing more efficient. The term comes from the Greek ”stereos” (meaning solid) and the French “type” (meaning model or impression). By 1817, the word also referred to the stereotype plate itself, which allowed printers to duplicate pages quickly and consistently. By 1850, “stereotype” took on a figurative meaning, referring to an image or idea that remains unchanged over time, influenced by the verb to stereotype, which had appeared by 1819. The modern meaning—describing a fixed, oversimplified belief about a group or individual—was introduced in 1922 by journalist Walter Lippmann in his book Public Opinion (Etymonline).

My insecurities often lead me to ask questions that those closest to me consider a waste of time, mainly because they recognize how deeply insecure I am. One such question that frequently comes to mind is, “I wonder what others truly think of me and the ministry I serve.” I tend to think negatively, a struggle that comes from being an introvert who constantly battles self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness. I often wonder what I may have said or done that others have misunderstood or misinterpreted. This leads to a challenging struggle between distraction and focus, in a space where only God truly knows the details.

I have heard various stereotypes about myself from others. Some say my sermons feel more like a classroom lecture than a church service. Others believe I use words that the average person doesn’t understand or that my belief in the perseverance of the saints implies that Christians can live however they want. Some have even commented that I look mean, likely due to my height and appearance—I stand 6’3” and weigh 230 pounds, which can leave a certain impression. I could go on, but my concern isn’t just about what people think of me; it’s also about the larger perception that is being shaped and spread about me.

Thankfully, I have a supportive wife and strong relationships that help me navigate these struggles when they arise. Whether my concerns are rooted in truth or just my insecurities, I have the right people to help me process my thoughts and emotions.

There may be a narrative about you that you are unaware of, one you haven’t heard or seen. Regardless, our calling is to reflect Christ more fully, which in turn helps to break down stereotypes about us. It’s possible that some of what others say holds truth, and when I consider that, I feel a mix of relief and discouragement—relief in recognizing areas for growth, yet discouragement in knowing I may have contributed to those perceptions. Both emotions can coexist.

I admit that, in the past, I have come across in ways that make me cringe today. There were times when I tried to be someone I wasn’t—maybe joking with a brother too soon or failing to be sensitive to someone from a different culture. I’ve made mistakes, and I believe some of them have contributed to a false narrative about me, one that doesn’t truly reflect my heart. That is what I want to address.

As a sinner saved by grace, my flaws are evident, but where people often go wrong is in assuming and stereotyping motives. John 7:1-24 illustrates this happening to Jesus—He chose to stay in Galilee instead of Judea because some were plotting to kill Him. This shows that even Christ Himself was misunderstood and unfairly judged based on assumptions rather than truth.

As the Feast of Booths approached, Jesus’ unbelieving brothers urged Him to go to Judea so that His followers could witness His works. However, Jesus responded by telling them, “My time has not yet come,” indicating that He was following God’s timing, not human expectations.

Jesus explained that the world could not hate His brothers, but it hated Him because He exposed its evil deeds. Later, He did go to Judea, but privately rather than publicly. As people began looking for Him, opinions about Him were divided—some believed He was a good man, while others accused Him of leading people astray.

As Jesus began to teach, the crowd was amazed by His words. He told them that His teaching was not His own, but came from the One who sent Him—God. In response, some accused Him of having a demon because He spoke about people seeking to kill Him. This hostility stemmed from an earlier event when Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath, which angered the religious leaders. Then, in John 7:24, Jesus made a powerful statement that challenged their judgment. He said, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

The mistake in John 7 was in wrongly judging Jesus, assuming that His power came from a demonic influence rather than from God. The people thought they understood the source of His actions—His teaching and healing—but their judgment was completely off. 

This highlights a deeper issue: how people go wrong in stereotyping others. The key question is, what standard or measurement is being used to form that stereotype in the first place? Stereotypes can sometimes contain a grain of truth. For example, I am an introvert, which might make me appear distant or uninterested in others. However, it’s not that I dislike people—I simply need solitude to recharge and refresh. In this case, neither I nor the other person is the problem—it’s just a misunderstanding of personality and needs.

If opinions about Jesus were divided—with some believing He was a good man while others accused Him of leading people astray—then we, too, are not exempt from being misunderstood or misjudged. This is especially true because we have flaws. 

The reality is that no matter how much we try to break free from stereotypes or preconceived ideas, people will still form their own opinions about us. Instead of being consumed by this, our focus should be on recognizing our own flaws, repenting of them, and striving to grow and mature. As we do, we will continue to become more aware of areas where we still need growth—and that is a lifelong process.