Come Out of Hiding – Take off the False Self

So far, in A Year to a Better You, we’ve taken the first step, getting into God’s Word with God. Today, we’re going to take it a step and truly dive into our journey to our best selves. Let’s begin by asking a question, “Which is more important knowing God or knowing yourself?” 

It’s not a trick question! The church in our time often emphasizes knowing God, but it is also important that we know ourselves well. The early church fathers recognized the importance of knowing God and knowing ourselves as well as the divine connection between the two. We must know God and we must know ourselves. 

Focusing on God and failing to know ourselves leaves a gap between appearance and reality. While we may look the part on the outside, we can’t have the transformation we desire unless we know God and ourselves. We must know ourselves deeply to know God deeply and we must know God deeply to truly know ourselves. It is the only way we can have true change, know Jesus as Savior, and live in an intimate relationship with Him.

Let’s read Genesis 2:25-3:11 and ask ourselves, “What or who causes the change in Adam and Eve’s perspective and how?” It is the same reason we are often disconnected from our true identity. Just like Adam and Eve, we are created in God’s image with a unique identity, but sin distorts that identity, and we try to hide. Jesus is the only one who can restore our true identity in God, so that we can fulfill our God-given purpose – peace, happiness, and our best life! 

The process requires taking off our false selves, you know the one we often find ourselves hiding in. Jesus can restore our true selves to the unique identity God created us to have, but we have to acknowledge and take off our false selves – no more hiding, no more living apart from God, no more living in our own power.

Proverbs 21:2 says, “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.” This week, let’s ask God to help us take off our false selves (“being right in our own eyes”) so we can measure up when “the Lord examines our hearts.”