Wearing Masks

Masks are normally worn on people's faces either on special occasions or around holidays such as Halloween or New Year's Eve.

However, there are other times people wear masks. There are also other reasons people wear masks.

Some of the places that people wear masks are in our society, in the corporate world, and in our churches.

Why do people wear so-called masks?

For one, they may be afraid of being real or "transparent". Normally, either they are afraid of being real with themselves or others.

In God's word, there were times when people were fearful of being honest with others. An exchange between Joshua and Achan was one of those times. Achan was afraid of being truthful with Joshua. Joshua confronted him about it.

Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."

Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua 7:19-21, NIV)

There are different reasons for being fearful. Rejection, judgment, condemnation, and criticism are just a some of the usual reasons. However, fear of the unknown may also be one reason with an underlying cause which can be fear of the truth coming out. Normally, there are a couple of separate reasons for being afraid of the truth coming out. Perhaps, the people are not ready to deal with it themselves. On the other hand, they think others may not be able to accept it yet.

Ultimately, Jesus always knows the truth. When He met and spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, He already knew the truth and spoke to her about it.

He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." (John 4:16-18, NIV)

He plainly spoke the truth to her, and she could not deny it. He did not reject, condemn, criticize, or judge her. Consequently, she was able to open up and be honest with Him. She felt free to share with Him.

That is the way it should be too, not only with Jesus but also with us and others. It is very important to be open and honest. It is so nice and refreshing when we feel confident enough to do it too.

What do you need to do to begin this process?

First, be real with yourself. If you are not honest with yourself, you cannot be truthful with anyone.

Next, be honest with Jesus. He already knows about it. He wants you to come to Him with anything that is on your heart and mind. Just like with the Samaritan woman, Jesus will not reject, criticize, judge, or condemn you. Therefore, open up and share with Him.

Lastly, be sincere with other people. This one may take a little more time depending on the person or the situation. However, with Jesus’ help, it is very possible. (Matt 19:26, Philippians 4:13)

Step by step, all of the masks will come off in time. Then, there will be no more pretenses, superficiality, fakeness, or insincerity with yourself, Jesus, or others. You will be real. You will be "transparent". That is what everybody needs in this world...no matter the time or the place.


Copyright 2011 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.