Neighbors lie to each other,
speaking with flattering lips
and insincere hearts.
Psalm 12:2
We may not "officially" tell lies to our neighbors. Nevertheless, most of us lie all the time.
How? We wear masks. We project a false front. We reveal only the glimpses of reality that we want our neighbors to see.
And then we go behind closed doors.
· For some, that's when the fangs come out. There may be “flattering lips” in public. But how often is it a saccharine "bless his heart" that masks our venom.
· For others, the façade we wear in public is … a brave mask. In reality, we are dying inside. We are lonely, defeated, and depressed. But we keep a stiff upper lip … because what else are we going to do?
· Others of us are one pay check away from disaster. We are hanging on by our fingernails. We are worried. But we too but on a brave face.
Is it anger, fear, insecurity, addiction, loneliness, depression, lusts, or jealousy that leave you wearing a mask?
Or is it pride?
That’s the worst mask. We’re so conscious of our image that we never really let people in. We’re afraid that if they really knew us, they wouldn't really like us.
In the garden -- before sin -- people were "naked and not ashamed." Now, don't just think physical nakedness. There were no personal, interpersonal, psychological, or emotional worries. There was literally nothing to hide.
And best of all ... there was no fear of judgment from others.
But with sin, came judgment and shame. And the immediate cover-up began. Masks. Adam wore a fig leaf to hide from Eve. Adam hid in the bushes, thinking he could escape from God's sight.
Today, my goal is to get you -- one -- to admit that wearing the mask is not for protection. Masks are because of sin. Hiding doesn't make you or anyone safer. It only isolates the hider and exacerbates the problem. (Which is precisely where the serpent left Adam and Eve and wants to leave you.)
My second goal is to get you to find a Christian brother or sister that you can trust enough to lower your mask in front of. Your mask feels safe. It's really a prison. Find a Christian friend. Join the supportive fellowship of a confidential small group. Ask for a Stephen Minister (that is one of the greatest gifts of freedom our congregation can offer). Talk to a pastor.
In Christ's Love
a guy who's had to learn
that its not the superheroes
who wear masks
... rather its the people
who lower the masks
who are the truly brave
No comments:
Post a Comment