being yourself

key principle: proverbs 18:3

proverbs 18:3

When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,and with dishonor comes disgrace.

We are crooked and bent towards hiding ourselves because from the start of our sin we have been ashamed of what our sinful hearts really are genesis 3:7-10 . So we naturally try to mask who we are really from each other i thessalonians 2:4-5 , and even more foolishly from the Lord isaiah 29:15-16 and we end confusing our own selves as to who we really are by our continued facades proverbs 30:20 ephesians 4:18 revelation 3:15-17 . In our fear of being exposed we stay away from being truly genuine john 3:19-20 as we don’t want our secret deeds, thoughts and motives revealed hebrews 4:12-13 i corinthians 4:5 . But if we would risk trusting the Lord and find out that all our fears are lies hebrews 4:14-16 we would find Him working in us to free us from our shame john 3:21 romans 10:10-11 . We’d be able to have genuine relationships with Him and each other if we’d be real; relying on His grace i john 1:7 , rather than simply trying to please each other for our own benefit galatians 1:10 galatians 6:12 .

my notes:

supporting scriptures

genesis 3:7-10

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

i thessalonians 2:4-5

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

isaiah 29:15-16

Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel,

whose deeds are in the dark,

and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”

16 You turn things upside down!

Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,

that the thing made should say of its maker,

“He did not make me”;

or the thing formed say of him who formed it,

“He has no understanding”?

my notes:

proverbs 30:20

This is the way of an adulteress:

she eats and wipes her mouth

and says, “I hav

ephesians 4:18

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

revelation 3:15-17

‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.’

john 3:19-20

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

my notes:

i corinthians 4:5

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

john 3:21

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

romans 10:10-11

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

i john 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

galatians 6:12

It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

key principle: james 3:14

james 3:14

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Its not that when we truly believe in God’s grace that we get to live with no embarrassment of our sin and get to sin arrogantly jeremiah 6:14-16 , but we no longer are under the weight of condemnation romans 8:1 or no hope of overcoming what we shamefully are romans 8:2-4 . Instead we can boldly confess our sins because He forgives us i john 1:9 , so we can freely come near to Him to be cleansed and be free to be real to help each other hebrews 10:19-24 . But we want to isolate ourselves so no one really knows how selfish we are proverbs 23:7 and how we don’t really want to know anyone else proverbs 18:2 . We are focused on ourselves proverbs 18:1 ; trying to gain praise from others rather than praise from the Lord by meeting their expectations john 5:44 . We need to be honest about ourselves, not boasting in it, but also not denying the truth James 3:14 . We need to learn to pour out our heart to the Lord openly, honestly and boldly trusting His grace will work on us to save us from our sin psalm 62:8 .

my notes:

supporting scriptures

jeremiah 6:14-16

They have healed the wound of my people lightly,

saying, Peace, peace,’

when there is no peace.

15 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?

No, they were not at all ashamed;

they did not know how to blush.

Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;

at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,”

says the Lord.

romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

romans 8:2-4

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

i john 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

my notes:

hebrews 10:19-24

herefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...

proverbs 23:7

... for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.

“Eat and drink!” he says to you,

but his heart is not with you.

proverbs 18:2

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only in expressing his opinion.

proverbs 18:1

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

john 5:44

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

james 3:14

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

key principle: proverbs 28:1

proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are bold as a lion.

If we would actually be repenting of our sin, especially that of selfishness and pride and seek to be genuine and true i corinthians 5:8 ephesians 6:14 we’d be free to be humbly bold about our weaknesses, failures and about God’s glorious grace overcoming our wicked hearts even now ii corinthians 3:12-4:7 . When we are confident in our Lord we would be free to be openhearted with each other; being who we are ii corinthians 6:11-13 by God’s grace i corinthians 15:9-10 warts and all, not having to be fake anymore but changing to me more and more like Jesus ii corinthians 3:17-4:2 .

supporting scriptures

i corinthians 5:8

Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

ephesians 6:14

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness...

ii corinthians 3:12-4:7

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

ii corinthians 6:11-13

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

i corinthians 15:9-10

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

ii corinthians 3:17-4:2

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

my notes: