Our latest topic is, ‘Are You Real With You?’. This question often ruffles feathers because it has a tendency to reveal things to others that you may not have noticed. We use terms like, “I’m looking at myself in the mirror” or ”being real” but we haven’t taken a deeper look into what real is when it’s based on the bible. Many times we use our social status or stature in society to overlook our faults, but God created everyone equal. When we speak on scripture, for some reason most get this picture in their head of this perfect person, but scripture speaks on transforming the heart that will in turn, transform you. 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) tells us, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” In order to “Be Real” with yourself, you must have a standard. This is not only where biblical principles should come into play, but also biblical application.

Many times your peers support and promote your faults. Many of us had or may still have a friend that are rude, but also comedic with it. Or we have that friend that says they are fighting whatever it is in their life that is hurting them, but because they admitted that to us, we haven’t questioned their choices since. There is a passage in Matthew 15 that describes the Pharisees and scribes as questioning Jesus and his disciples asking why are they ”breaking tradition”. Jesus responds to them and says, “Why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition?” What Christ was saying to them at this point was that satisfying yourselves is offensive to God. Many of us have “traditions” at family gatherings that are very offensive to God but they have been practiced for so long until they seems right to us.

Then Jesus goes on to tell them that “You honor me with your lips but your heart is far from me, in vain do you worship me”. This hits at the very core of our being. If you were never real with yourself, this had to have been one of the moments where actions were noticed and your character is questioned. Many of us think that just saying that we love God or that we are Christians is being Christ-like but Christ desires our heart. To say with your mouth that you love God but your actions prove otherwise, I think its safe to say that this is when “keeping it real, goes wrong”. Jesus tells His disciples, “Its not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person but what comes out of it that does”. Jesus was explaining that whatever is in your heart will spill out of your mouth. Constantly in scripture Jesus was speaking of heart transformations.

Question: Have you ever owned a car that had many problems? You realized that you allowed this car to run for so long without maintenance until it damaged the engine. More than the engine was the problem, but in replacing the engine the entire car is now running like new. This engine I speak of is our heart. When God “Create In You A Clean Heart” (Psalm 51), everything attached to it is made new.

I know that sometimes its hard breaking the ways we have been taught, but it is not impossible. The amount of effort put into certain areas of our lives proves our commitment to that area. What do you put most of your time into? Does it offend God? If you are not sure if it offends God, read not only about his character but also about his love and make adjustments in your life. The book of Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) tells us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” I want to see you prosper and become familiar with God, becoming real with you. There is no greater love than the love that Christ provides for His people. I challenge you today to ask God to reveal to you “areas” where you need to change and improve, but allow Him the lead in the restoring process. For our help is in the Lord!

Be Blessed!