A few nights ago, I wanted to Twitter a thought but thought better of it. Not because it's not true, but because it required more depth than 140 charachters could allow. So, perhaps I can communicate it here better.
Over the years in the church, putting on masks, being fake, & pretending everything's OK when it isn't has taken its toll in the church. There's a move toward authenticity that is needed but perhaps gets a little carried away. In our quest to be "real" we've forgotten that, as Christ followers, we are not our own.
Being "real" wasn't in the beatitudes & "real" isn't a fruit of the Spirit. In fact, teaching in Scripture about our attitude, emotions, and words usually run pretty opposite to what we call "real."
I think it's a dangerous path when we allow sin in our lives & justify it as just being real. It's foolishness to accept as normal things Scripture forbidd. It's absurd to be rebellious, ungrateful, angry, & strife-filled & call it "real".
Sometimes that may be our reality. It's part of having flesh. However, it's time to call a spade a spade. This stuff is sin. If you have a rotten, negative attitude, it's sin. You have chosen to be ungrateful & scoff at the goodness & blessings of God in your life. We all deal with it, it's part of the human condition, but it's not something we just accept.
That's why Scripture has a lot more references to crucifying the flesh, picking up your cross, and presenting your body as a living sacrifice than about being yourself. There's still a lot to be said for simple obedience.
When you find things becoming "real" in your life that don't match the true reality of God's Word, it's not His word that needs to change.
Get in His word & let it transform your mind so you can have a new real. Ask God for His perspective on your situation. Get some friends who will let you have a pity party by yourself instead of feeding your attitude (or, even better, will bring correction when needed). Choose to focus on the goodness of God rather than your circumstance. Decide life's not about you & your perfect happiness & get out and help someone else. Find a purpose bigger than your problem. Keep your eyes on Jesus & the hurting world and off your problems.
Let's work on having a new real! You'll be happier if you do.
