“False Faces”

^{“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”}

^{1 Samuel 16:7}

There is a day of the year that many people will walk around hiding their true self behind a mask or full costume. If you were to line 10 people up wearing the same exact costume, you probably would not be able to tell one person from another. They all would have the same physical characteristics portrayed by the costume. But the true person hides underneath. Their true character, their true selves.

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

1 John 2:4

How many times when we walk into church, or any place for that matter, and put on a false face? Our countenance or our demeanor does not reflect the real person and the way that we may feel inside. There are many ways that that could be played out. You may be going through a very difficult time in your life, but to others they only see your false face. You may not be living the way that you know that you should, but you put on a false face and maybe even a halo for others to

see.

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

Isaiah 29:13

As Christians, no matter what we may be going through we should still have the joy of the Lord in our hearts and that joy should be reflected in our faces. Does that mean that we are to pretend and go around with a false face when life is at its hardest? The joy of the Lord does not come from our circumstances; it comes from knowing that God is in control even when we don’t understand it and that we trust Him implicitly with our lives. I have seen many times the difference between joy and happiness in people’s lives. When someone truly has the joy of the Lord and not the mask of happiness in their lives, it shines on their faces. I have seen it on the faces of people in our church that have faced hard times. Of course, they are not happy with their circumstance, but the joy of the Lord is so evident on their faces and in their demeanor. They are fully trusting Jesus no matter what the outcome may be. That is real Christianity. Not a false face.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Luke 6:46

A few years ago, in my Bible Class we studied the subject of “Choices.” One of the topics was the choice to be a “real Christian.” What does that mean? Our world more than ever needs to see more real Christians. We have enough people going around and putting on their “religious false faces” and when tragedy or conflict comes, they take off the false face and you see the “real” person that they are underneath. Sad to say, there are many walking around like that and when that false face comes off it damages the cause of Christ.

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

Titus 1:16

Let’s be “real” Christians. Let’s take off the false faces and show forth God’s joy in our lives. Let the world see what a “true” Christian looks like. Are you willing to take the mask off today and let God change your heart? Will you make the “choice” to be a “real” Christian?”

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with

brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

Romans 12:9-15