Today’s topic is at the very core of Christianity. It speaks of how we interpret our world as Christians and look beyond what is temporary. As we wake up every morning, and the gears of our brain and heart starts to function, we are solely watched by God and not assessed by those around us.
The questions posed is as crucial as the value we put on our traditions and culture: Are you an authentic Christian or a fake professor? Have your checked your heart lately?
As Christians, we definitely have set of beliefs that make up and hone our characters. We are continuously shaped by circumstances, establishing and redefining our values as human beings. However, as fundamental as the scriptures, we are called out to stand a firm ground on God’s Word.
Let us look into the 3 types of Christians who are fronting a false facade as a remedy to their fake heart.
1. Hypocrite
A hypocrite is someone whose personality outside his comfort zone is way different from his personality when he is alone. Looking deeper, this means that hypocrites’ intentions, thoughts play a big part on how they act upon their society. They do not necessarily do harm to people, but they are fond of showing a mask to make them look good.
They love God but do not like the idea of people.
1 John 4: 20 rebukes this idea…
If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
They lash with their tongue.
What does James 1: 26 have to say about this?
If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
They critique everyone but themselves.
Matthew 7: 5 reprimands this idea.
You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
These people publicizes their religion.
Matthew 6: 1
Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven.
2. People pleasers
Becoming a people pleaser is a cycle which is hard to go out from. What many people-pleasers don’t realize is how it can have serious risks. Not only does it put a lot of pressure and stress, but it can fundamentally make someone sick from doing too much. If you are overcommitted, you probably get less sleep and get more anxious and upset. You’re also depleting your energy resources. In the unhealthiest case scenario, you’ll wake up and find yourself depressed, because you’re on such overload because you possibly can’t do it all. The worst part of is the fact everything you do is not to please God.
Here are the reasons why, together with the Bible verses that back it up.
a. You’d rather say what people want to hear rather than say the truth.
2 Timothy 4: 3
For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.
b. You choose to become who you are not to win people.
Romans 12: 2
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
Galatians 1: 10
Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!
3. One that does lip service
Last type of people who are fronting a false facade as a remedy to their fake heart are those who do not practice what they preach. Let us look into these Bible verses to see what God tells about this type of fake believers.
Isaiah 29: 13
The sovereign master says,
“These people say they are loyal to me;
they say wonderful things about me,
but they are not really loyal to me.
Their worship consists of
nothing but man-made ritual.
Matthew 15: 8
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me,
How do you honestly put your faith in God?
