Topic: Break Free from the Prison of Pretending [RICK WARREN Devotional 15 April 2022]
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Break Free from the Prison of Pretending
“I will live in perfect freedom, because I try to obey your teachings.”
Psalm 119:45 (GNT)Pretending to be someone you’re not is exhausting, isn’t it?
Too many people have spent so much of their lives pretending that they don’t remember who they really are anymore. They’ve spent all their energy and effort trying to fake their way through life, thinking it will give them the life they want.
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If that’s you, then you’re in a prison of pretending. And you’ve locked yourself in this prison for two main reasons.
First, you’re trying to please people. The Bible tells you how foolish this is: “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe” (Proverbs 29:25 GNT).
Second, you feel like you need to be perfect to be loved. Since no one is perfect, you’ll never feel truly loved if perfectionism is snaring you. You make up for this by living in a pretend world, where you never make mistakes. Even worse, as you’re hard on yourself, you’re also harsh on others. Everyone ends up in your prison.
Jesus once said of people who pretend to be something they’re not, “You are the ones who make yourselves look right in other people’s sight, but God knows your hearts. For the things that are considered of great value by people are worth nothing in God’s sight” (Luke 16:15 GNT).
What’s the cure for a life of pretending to be something you’re not?
Switch your focus to what God thinks. God is the only one who knows you completely and loves you unconditionally. If you’re doing what God wants, then you’re doing what’s right.
The psalmist says of this kind of focus, “I will live in perfect freedom, because I try to obey your teachings” (Psalm 119:45 GNT).
You don’t need to scroll on your phone to find out who you really are. Social media can’t tell you how much you’re really loved.
Only God can tell you the truth about who you are—and that will set you free.
- Is it enough for you to know that God loves you and accepts you, no matter what other people think? Why or why not?
- How does switching your focus to what God thinks, help keep you from pretending?
- In what ways does social media make you more vulnerable to pretending?
God’s Freedom Is Available to You Today
God promised that for those who believe in Jesus, there is no condemnation. He sent Jesus to save you from your sin. His death on the cross paid for every wrong you’ve ever done or will do. And by sacrificing himself for your sins and giving you his righteousness, Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with God, the Father.
And the good news of Easter doesn’t stop there. God also raised Jesus from the dead, proving his power over sin and death. And that makes it possible for you to spend eternity with him in heaven.
If you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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