Keeping It Real?

“Hey, I am just keeping it real.” Have you ever heard anyone say that? For some reason, people place a high value on “keeping it real”, but what do they really mean? In most cases, this statement precedes a rude act or hurtful words. This phrase is then said as a way to remove their responsibility for the pain they just inflicted. Well, this is not “real” and it is not right! Christian singles should not strive to be “real” and they should be careful about being “right”. (More about being right tomorrow.)

The implied notion behind “keeping it real” is that whatever was said or done was expressed in the name of truth. But, who are we trying to fool here? Truth is relative. My “truth” may be quite different from your “truth”. In fact, what we state as facts most often is really our opinion. If truth is our true goal, let’s start here; Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Now for Christian singles, this is not an opinion, but the undeniable truth. When it comes to what I think about you or what you feel about someone else, that is not “truth”, but our version of it.

Accepting the fact that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, how should that affect our perceptions, words and actions? Hopefully, we are striving to be more like Him. Jesus did not spend a lot of time voicing His opinions. Rather He spoke truths based on His relationship with His heavenly father. In our relationships, let’s be mindful that people do not need our opinions. What will really help them is the truth. So, let’s speak truths to people. Put another way; let’s “speak” Jesus to those we interact with. This can be accomplished through our words and deeds as guided by the Holy Ghost.

Let’s stop hiding behind the myth of “keeping it real” when we say or do hurtful things. Where in the Bible are we called to be real? Our divine mandate is to spread the good news (also known as the truth), not tainted opinions that only end up hurting and causing confusion.

Tomorrow, we will discuss the problems with always trying to be “right” at the expense of our relationships.