I told Jeff Mann that sometimes I have to fake better character than I am. Sound hypocritical? Well, perhaps it is. Truth is, we all do it all the time.
First, you don’t want people to see the real you, do you? If they saw you with all your warts, scars, snaggle teeth, unruly hair, poor hygiene, well, what would they ever say. So we clean up, put on deodorant, comb our hair and brush our teeth. Next, we put on some clean clothes and go out to meet the world.
Secondly, sometimes we fake good character because we want to have friends. We will fight and squabble with our family all the way to church. Our blood pressure will be soaring and the veins on our foreheads sticking out. But as we pull in to our parking spot and open the door, all fighting ceases and the smiles come out. People like to be around people who smile.
Thirdly, it may be a good thing to fake good character. If we acted out of our sinful nature, we would be filled with anger, malice, jealousy, envy, greed, hatred, murder, sexual immorality…(I might have given you some new ideas so I will not list anything else). You will never do the right thing on your own. You must trust God to know what to do. When we trust God and His word, and obey Him, do things His way, then God will watch over us and He will get the glory.
Fourth, when you do the right thing, you feel better. You can sleep with a clear conscience toward God. You grow spiritually. God uses you far beyond your imagination. Paul said in his letter to Timothy “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV
Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God.”