Overview of Remove Negative Labels — Joel Osteen
In this sermon, Joel Osteen teaches that people may speak limiting, negative labels over your life, but you do not have to accept them. His core message is that your identity and future are determined by God, not by criticism, failure, upbringing, or past mistakes. He encourages listeners to “remove” harmful labels like not good enough, too old, too small, slow learner, addict, or average, and replace them with faith-based truths such as strong, valuable, forgiven, gifted, and destined for greatness.
Main Message
Negative labels only have power if you wear them
Osteen argues that people cannot stop others from speaking negatively, but they can choose not to internalize it. He compares negative words to stickers that cling to you unless you intentionally peel them off.
God’s label matters more than people’s opinions
A recurring point is that human opinions do not define destiny. God sees potential, purpose, and future victory even when others see weakness, failure, or limitation.
Words shape identity and direction
He emphasizes that repeated negative words can become beliefs, and beliefs can become behavior. In other words, what you keep saying about yourself can become your reality.
Key Examples Used
Famous people who overcame negative labels
Osteen points to several well-known examples of people who were dismissed early on but later succeeded:
- Walt Disney — told he lacked imagination
- Lucille Ball — told she couldn’t act
- Winston Churchill — labeled a poor student
These examples are used to show that early criticism is not the final word.
Biblical and personal illustrations
He also uses several faith-based examples:
- David — overlooked by his father and criticized by his brother, yet chosen by God
- Benjamin — originally named “son of my sorrow,” then renamed by Jacob as “son of my right hand” / strength
- Shaquille O’Neal — used as an example of someone who ignored “too big, too slow” labels and became elite
Personal stories
Osteen shares stories from his own life, including:
- Feeling insecure when he first took over preaching after his father’s death
- Hearing comments that he was “not as good as his father” and believing he was not enough
- Choosing to replace those thoughts with scripture and positive confession
Labels He Says People Often Wear
Osteen specifically calls out labels such as:
- Not good enough
- Too slow
- Too old
- Too small
- Too big
- Average
- Ordinary
- Failure
- Addict
- Divorced
- Washed up
- Condemned
- Slow learner
His point is that these labels may describe a season, but they do not define a person’s destiny.
What He Says to Do Instead
Replace false labels with truth
He encourages listeners to “put on” new identities, including:
- Strong
- Anointed
- Valuable
- One of a kind
- Masterpiece
- More than a conqueror
- Redeemed
- Restored
- Forgiven
- History maker
- Giant killer
- Child of victory
Stop agreeing with the negative narrative
He says the label loses power when you:
- stop thinking about it
- stop acting like it’s true
- stop speaking it over yourself
Speak faith-filled words
A major takeaway is that your words are shaping your future. He urges listeners to speak in alignment with what God says, not what circumstances or critics say.
Core Takeaways
- People may label you, but they do not define you.
- Past mistakes do not cancel future purpose.
- God can use what others call a limitation as an advantage.
- Your self-talk is prophetic: it helps create the future you experience.
- Freedom begins when you refuse to wear old labels any longer.
Closing Invitation
The sermon ends with a prayer of salvation, inviting listeners to make Jesus Lord of their life. Osteen also promotes his ministry resources, especially a book centered on speaking positive, faith-filled words and aligning speech with God’s promises.
Bottom Line
This message is an encouragement to reject shame, criticism, and limiting identity statements. Osteen’s central challenge is simple: take off the labels people gave you and live by the identity God gives you instead.