I am constantly amazed at how some people use social media to promote their faith and beliefs. Don’t get me wrong…I think that we have a powerful platform with a captive audience, why not use it to tell the world what you believe. It shows a reflection of who we are, right? Or is it a reflection of who we want the world to see and think we are? Are we actually a better person on the World Wide Web than who we are in real life? I don’t know, but I know that it is tempting. There is always that tug of war inside of us…who we really are, who we think we are, and who we have the potential to be.
There is a term out there, “fake it ’til you make it”…something said to inspire people to reach their goals, and to achieve a great sale in whatever it is that is being sold.
Can this same saying be used in our spiritual lives as well? Are we trying to “sell” something?
I hope not.
In a world where we embrace the false and vilify the truth, there shouldn’t be any faking of our faith at all. We should be hot or cold. We should be true to ourselves. What are we really trying to prove when we have a bible verse or inspirational quote to quip at someone, when our heart is rotten to the core? Can’t Jesus see right through this? Can’t other people see it too? Doesn’t something die inside, just a little bit, when we are on display for something that we aren’t?
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:15, 16, 19, 20 NIV)
Jesus asks us to be passionate about our beliefs. There is no faking it here. He is watching us, and always there to help and guide us. He wants to fellowship with us, and be with the person whom He created in His image.
We don’t need to posture at who we are. We should be an outward reflection of what we are inside. Don’t hide it. If what is inside is ugly, then it’s time to work on it…and not pretend it away.
I know that inside of me there is a lot of work that needs to be done. I want to be someone who has the ready bible verse and inspirational quote, a kind word and a ready spirit. I don’t want to succumb to the temptation of posting something up to make me look more spiritual than I am. I also don’t want to be the one who gets angry with those who are always wearing their faith out in the open. I don’t know the condition of their heart, and in that, I have no right to judge them. After all, if it makes me angry…the issue is with me, not with them.
It’s time to be honest. And show the world who we are. Are we true followers, or are we just someone who is faking it?