In the early 1900s people actually believed that radioactivity was a good thing. It was commonly understood that radioactive materials could be used to cure arthritis, increase energy, prevent aging, and overall improve the general health and appearance of users. Radioactive water became regularly available all around the country. Several people found themselves buying radioactive products, all with the desire to look younger and more vibrant. One man, Eben Byers, was so convinced of its benefit that he began to drink three bottles of it every day. Two and a half years after his use, he began to complain of chronic headaches and uncontrolled weight loss. Then his teeth began to fall out, followed by holes in his skull. Eventually, his mouth collapsed.
Mr. Byers joined the crowd of countless others who have, are currently, or will do whatever necessary to keep up appearances. People do ridiculous things to look good to those around them in all areas of their lives. Physically people resort to such tactics as allowing snails to move across their faces which spreads their “beauty-enhancing mucus.” Some people bury themselves in volcanic ash, lay in bathtubs full of fermented hay, or even bathe in giant bowls of ramen noodles. Socially we lie, exaggerate, and hide the reality of who we are. It seems that people will go to great extremes to prevent themselves from looking foolish or possessing flaws. They do whatever required to present themselves favorably and to look as acceptable and pleasing as possible.
How this Looks in the Church
Christians have the same temptation to do this with our spiritual lives. We will lie. Christians try to hide the fact that they are sinners. We will be sure to tell all of our great spiritual victories and achievements. Fear of apparent failure and hunger for noticed success seems to be a normal part of our human nature. There are many reasons for this. We might believe that perfection is necessary for acceptance. We may simply be terrified of other people’s opinions of us. It might even be that you are attempting to convince God of your great value and worth by your accomplishment.
The ridiculous gimmicks used to look better might be necessary to save face in the world. But there is no place for them in Christianity and the church. Christianity is only for losers. There is no room for anyone else. It is one of the qualifying points of entry. No perfect people allowed because the perfect have no need for it.
Romans 12:9 says to “let your love be genuine” there is no need to play pretend. God says that our love for him should be real. Our devotion to the church should be real.
Over the past five years, many studies have shown that we are living in an age where people are craving authenticity. Personally, I desire reality, imperfections and all. We all hate to be manipulated, dislike when people are fake, and despise being lied to. And yet we are quick to manipulate, play pretend, and mislead others. For your personal health and the good of the church, all such tactics need to be left at the door when entering into the community of the church.
Who do We Think We are Fooling?
You will find that in a Bible-believing church people are not going to be shocked when they hear of your shortcomings. Nor will you find yourself shunned. We are all well aware of the reality of sin. That is why we need each other. The guidance, accountability, encouragement, and rebuke that we all need to be the person God created us to be will be hindered if you hide your need for it behind a veneer of perfection.
The apostle Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:3 of being seduced or pulled away from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. He doesn’t caution us about being pulled away from an apparent devotion. Instead, he warns that our devotion might not be real and that our Christian actions may become insincere and not heartfelt. God is concerned with matters of the heart. He is concerned with the reality of what is inside of us and we cannot change that with insincere outward appearance.
Not an Excuse
This is not a call for us to all simply be who we are with no intent to change, grow, and spiritually mature. That is not Christ’s will for us. Peter writes that we are to “grow up.” Paul sternly corrects those “believers” who seem to refuse to mature into the followers of Christ that they were intended to be. We should not accept our imperfections. We should be a people fighting against them and striving for holiness. That is what God expects of His children. But neither should we be surprised when we fall down. That is what kids do.
One of the worst things you can do when you find yourself in sin is to quickly cover it up hoping that no one saw. Playing pretend is dangerous when it becomes more than a game. Admitting our weakness and failure is going to require true humility. It is going to hurt. But doing whatever it takes to keep up your spiritual image is going to drain any vitality out of your life. It will be exhausting. At best it will lead to a false perception of you to yourself and those around you. It will not lead to any actual spiritual growth and success. No amount of makeup can make the dead alive again. Only repentance can do that.
Where will it lead?
We will find that if we try to keep up our spiritual appearance at all cost we will meet the same end as Eben Byers. Our desire to look successful and without imperfections could very well lead to our own spiritual demise. You aren’t perfect and pretending to be is only going to disgust those who know you best. The church is a place where we can be real with each other. It is only when we let down our guard, allowing people to see the reality of who we are, blemishes and all, that the church can fulfill its obligations to each other.