Let the inside match the outside

My old self has been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (The Life Recovery Bible)

Almost all of live two lives, what people see on the outside and what is really going on inside. Growing up we learn what outward signs will please others in our lives. Like putting on a mask, our clothes and body language are shaped to fit into whatever situations we find ourselves in. Over time we learn to hide serious issues such as addiction and other problems.

The world judges us on our outward appearances but God judges us on what's on the inside. What's in our hearts?

Today I want to highlight some things that we need to be aware of as we walk the recovery road.

• Putting on masks can lead to self-deception
  sometimes we live lies for so long we begin to believe them ourselves. In recovery we need to draw close to God and ask Him to 'reveal the real me to myself'. When He does we need to be prepared to go to any lengths to being the 'real me'
  
  Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:19 
  
  
• We put on masks often because we know the truth but do not want to accept it – denial is a major stumbling block in recovery. To overcome it we must be willing to be completely honest in all things, no matter how much pain it may cost us in the short term it is always worth it in the long term.
  
  But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
  James 5:12
  
  
• We put on masks for self-serving reasons – we all want to be important in life. It is dangerous for us when we put the need of acceptance from others before our loyalty to God.
  
  Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3
  
  
• We put on masks to display outward conformity without inner reality – it is possible to be involved in recovery, going through the motions without actually achieving recovery.
  
  I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:5
  

It is my prayer for all who read this that we can stop living two lives and trust God to help us become the people He created us to be, achieving the purposes He has planned for us each through faith in Him and the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us on a daily basis.