R U Fake Or Just Really Mature?

There is a deep desire in our culture for authenticity. "I don't want to be a hypocrite!  I don't want to be fake!  This is a good desire.  Nothing stinks quite like a hypocrite.

But the alternative to being a hypocrite is the concept of being true to yourself.  This goes beyond just honesty about who I am and what I struggle with at times.  Many believe that in order to not be fake,  I must do what I feel or what I want.  'If I don't follow my heart and do what comes out of natural desire, then I am just being fake.  I have to be true to myself.'

There is a third option.

• Hypocrisy = saying one thing and doing another.  Pretending to have it all together when you really do not.  Hiding your true self in order to look impressive to others.
• Depravity = doing what I want without regard its morality, wisdom, or consequences.  Sinking to the level of obedience to my base desires and fleshly cravings.
• Maturity = honestly recognizing my temptations and fleshly desires, but choosing to overcome them by acting in love, wisdom, and discipline.  Choosing without pride and with transparency to discipline myself to do the right thing even when I don't feel like it.

If we are not careful, we can mistake maturity for hypocrisy.  But disciplining yourself to act according to your values and not according to your cravings is simply the habit of becoming a better person.

When its all said and done, I don't want to be true to myself.  I want to be true to God's Word.  I want to be true and aligned with my values and not with my temptations. As I attempt to develop maturity, I also want to remain aware of my personal brokenness without Christ.  We can make no place for pretending or for pride.

Authentic maturity!  This is the goal. 

Comments

[June]

Good post. Another good thought as we press on toward maturity is this: In God's eyes it not about WHO, it is about WHAT. Since we wrestle not with flesh and blood, it is a helpful discipline to cling to the WHAT's instead of the WHO's. Like Ruth did in Ruth 1:14. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her (Naomi). (KJV ) When most folks were doing what they thought was right in their own eyes (it was during the time of the Judges) Ruth did WHAT was right in God’s eyes. In this passage Ruth was not clinging to the WHO but to the WHAT! Man’s plans are carnal/flawed. God’s ways are divine/perfect. Focus on WHAT God says is right and then cling to it. Don't let the WHO'S (self, others, Satan, world) push you into sin (hypocrisy or depravity). Let GOD lead you by His Spirit into maturity (perfection) instead. Think VELCRO. My feet are planted in the truth and I am not budging. That will be as real as you can get. :) Obey and let GOD take care of the consequences.