The other day I heard someone say, “Kids are always better behaved at some one else’s house. That is what kids do.” I immediately started thinking about their words as they did not sit well with me. True, I had seen this same phenomenon with my own kids but still, something began stirring in my heart. This morning during my prayer time, words started flowing and I felt compelled to write about it.
Isn’t it true that most everyone, including adults, are ‘well behaved’ when they are in a public setting? Sure we all have our moments when we lose it and break down and possibly cause a scene, but for the most part; we are good at putting on a show. We want to be liked. We want to feel accepted. We often times want approval from others. But isn’t portraying a squeaky clean image when we are really dirty and messed up, by definition a lie?
One of the most powerful things a Christian can do is be real. Being real is being truthful and honest with yourself and everyone around you. You may be able to fool some people, but God is not fooled by a good acting job. He knows every detail about you. We can’t hide anything from Him. What we are like when no one is looking is who we really are. Your true heart can be seen only when you have nothing to gain in this world by your actions. Are you a different person when no one can see? Are you a different person at home?
Isn’t it true that most everyone, including adults, are ‘well behaved’ when they are in a public setting? Sure we all have our moments when we lose it and break down and possibly cause a scene, but for the most part; we are good at putting on a show. We want to be liked. We want to feel accepted. We often times want approval from others. But isn’t portraying a squeaky clean image when we are really dirty and messed up, by definition a lie?
One of the most powerful things a Christian can do is be real. Being real is being truthful and honest with yourself and everyone around you. You may be able to fool some people, but God is not fooled by a good acting job. He knows every detail about you. We can’t hide anything from Him. What we are like when no one is looking is who we really are. Your true heart can be seen only when you have nothing to gain in this world by your actions. Are you a different person when no one can see? Are you a different person at home?
ARE YOU ALL SMILES UNTIL YOU GET HOME?
In Galatians 1:6-11 Paul speaks about a different gospel that is being preached to the Christians there. He recognized that some were perverting the Gospel of Christ for personal gain but Paul tells them that his motives are pure. “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” According to God, we can’t be both a people pleaser and a pleaser of God.
Jesus illustrates this same point about putting on a good show for others in Matthew 6:5. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” If we truly love God, we live to receive praise from God. What people think of us is of little concern. Sure, it is always nice to receive a compliment or praise from others, but we don’t live for them or by them. We are happy and content working behind the scenes not being recognized.
No matter what we do, no matter where we go, we should always be the same because there is one that is always watching. Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Are you like a fish out of water, flip flopping back and forth depending on the situation, or are you standing on a firm foundation? When we stand on ‘the’ foundation, we stand firm. 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
When we stand on Jesus, we don’t shift or change who we are under pressure or depending on who is watching. We constantly walk with integrity. We are constantly filled with peace and joy. We don’t need to be liked. We don’t need to be filled with the praise of others. We don’t need people to fill our emotional bank accounts. When we stand on Jesus, we are full.
Jesus illustrates this same point about putting on a good show for others in Matthew 6:5. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” If we truly love God, we live to receive praise from God. What people think of us is of little concern. Sure, it is always nice to receive a compliment or praise from others, but we don’t live for them or by them. We are happy and content working behind the scenes not being recognized.
No matter what we do, no matter where we go, we should always be the same because there is one that is always watching. Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Are you like a fish out of water, flip flopping back and forth depending on the situation, or are you standing on a firm foundation? When we stand on ‘the’ foundation, we stand firm. 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
When we stand on Jesus, we don’t shift or change who we are under pressure or depending on who is watching. We constantly walk with integrity. We are constantly filled with peace and joy. We don’t need to be liked. We don’t need to be filled with the praise of others. We don’t need people to fill our emotional bank accounts. When we stand on Jesus, we are full.
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