No More Pretending

Do you ever feel like you are a character in a play, and you are wearing a "mask" all the time around others? Or do you feel like you are in the audience, and everyone around you is wearing a "mask"? Well, here is what "we" are told to do about that...

Romans 12:9-10

NLT – ⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

MSG – ^9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

TPT – ⁹ Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. ¹⁰ Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.

Interesting how in today’s world, we are told to “fake it” in a lot of things. However, with people and hearts, we are NOT to fake anything, but love sincerely, deeply, truthfully. But what if we have never been “taught” how to actually “love” others? Or, what if we have a lot of “unlovable” people around us? Either in our life, or in our neighborhood – what then?

Well, that’s when prayer and the Holy Spirit comes in! I’d say 90% of what is in the bible, instructions to/for us – we can NOT do on our own, in our own strength. Not really in our own “will power” – nope! It is by the supernatural ability of the Holy Spirit that we can do the things we do! Not by my strength, but by His. Just having God give us these words, in so many different translations – but all saying the same thing: we are to love others like He loves us! We are to do for and treat others, the way He treats us! We are to encourage, uplift, honor, respect, and give true affections towards others – because He does that to and for us! Wow!

Ok – so reality check: if we feel like we don’t have any “lovable” people around us, in our life – then we need different friends! If your family is not this example, then you can join a church and have God’s family surround you. “But Lisa Marie, I’ve been very bad, done things that I am ashamed of. No church will even want me to enter their door, let alone get close to the people!” – ummm – everyone IN ALL churches, are just like you and me – we fall short of reaching perfect – EVERY DAY! LOL If you are still here, alive, walking around and breathing – you fall short, just like me! That doesn’t mean we don’t “try” to obey and follow all that God tells us to do – it means, that we can NOT do it on our own, and we truly DO need the help of Jesus to be able to do all of the things He has told us to do. That is why He sent the Holy Spirit after He rose up to Heaven – so we have “Him” in and with us at all times. LOL left on our own, we are a messy bunch of kids!

So, these verses talking about no more pretending, first, we have to admit to ourselves and to God if and when we HAVE been pretending. Then, asking Him to give us eyes to see like He does. A heart to love like He does. The words to say, that He whispers in our ears. THEN, we are loving unconditionally and with other people’s best interest in our hearts. When we actually have this “love” for others, guess what?! We will then automatically give others the affirmations and honor they are due, naturally! That old saying “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” – is SOOOO true with people!! You really don’t know what someone has been through until you get to know them – honestly, with a pure heart.

Today, I am praying that if you have been “faking” it in any of these areas, that you pray and ask the Holy Spirit to make it true and real in your heart. That He comes in and loves others through you. It’s pretty awesome! Be well my friend. Be safe. Be blessed BIG time!