Expressing Ourselves

One of the standard ideas of modern society is that we should just be ourselves. If we just quit putting on an act, we would all be happy. Now there is an overlap between this and Biblical teaching. We are admonished against living our lives to please other people (Galatians 1:10; Matthew 6:1-18; Proverbs 29:25). This is particularly true of pretending to have a righteousness we do not have (Matthew 23:23-28; Mark 12:38-40; 1 Timothy 5:24,25). But there is another side to this. Sometimes the idea of being ourselves can lead to following every impulse, no matter where it leads or who it hurts. The problem is, we are still sinners and there are things inside of us that should not be let out (Romans 7:14; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6). We need to remember that we are sinners who must be saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 4:4,5; Titus 3:5,6). Those who have put their faith in Christ can stand with confidence before God (Romans 8:33,34; 5:1,2; 1 John 4:17, 18), and we should be able to be open with each other and support each other in our struggles (James 5:13-16; Hebrews 12:12,13; Colossians 3:12-14). But we must also remember that we are not there yet, and everything within us should not be simply let out (Philippians 3:12-16; Galatians 5:17; 1 John 1:8-10). We need to be real without letting loose everything that dwells inside us.