The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord. Charles Stanley

Be Yourself

 So Saul clothed David with his armour, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armour and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
1 Samuel 17:38-39

 

When David offered to fight Goliath, Saul clothed him in his own armour and gave him his own sword to slay the giant. Needless to say, the king’s armour did not fit the young shepherd boy and fortunately, David was wise enough to refuse it. He didn’t need the armour to pretend he was a great soldier because he did not want to be what he was not.
When we come to Jesus, He does not want us to hide behind masks, pretending to be something that we are not. Rather, He desires us to be transparent before Him, coming to Him with honesty and sincerity because He is able to see and discern the deepest thought and intent of our hearts. The Pharisees looked good on the outside but the Lord was able to see beyond their religious acts, knowing that their heart motives were not pure.

Not only should we be transparent before God, but we should also be open and honest before our brothers and sisters in Christ. The body of Christ cannot move in love and unity if we build walls around our hearts, hiding our true thoughts and feelings behind a superficial mask. Only as we learn to trust and confide in one another, will the Holy Spirit start to move freely amongst His people.

 

So let us follow the example of David and have the courage to take off the armour that we think will protect us when in fact, we need only be ourselves, placing our faith in God who clothes us with His righteousness, who gives us the victory as we walk with Him, led by His Spirit.

Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day. Thank You that I can come to You just as I am for You desire truth and sincerity. Help me to live a life that serves You, so Your Name may be glorified. Amen.

God bless you.

Theo and Manju