No Filter Needed: Living Authentically in a Performative World. Why real transparency glorifies God more than curated perfection

We live in a time when it seems like everything needs to be expertly selected, compiled, or organized, filtered, and posted for approval. 

It’s this digital age that we find ourselves in.

But the truth is, God isn't impressed with the version of ourselves that we polish for people.  Ever see photos online of some people and when you see them in real life, the acne, the hair, the smile, it’s not there? 

What does that tell you? That these people fix themselves up for the camera right? They literally put on a mask!

Can we just understand that God wants the real you and the real me to come before Him, with a raw and surrendered heart, not a perfect presentation, but honest repentance and authentic faith.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT), God says to Samuel: “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

This is a powerful reminder that while we may spend hours trying to perfect how we appear to the world, God is looking beyond the surface. He sees the broken places we hide, the battles we mask with smiles, and the doubts we dress up in polished words. 

Unfortunately, people are often roped in by people who look good on the outside, people who talk a good game, people who make them feel good for a moment, because of this desire that we have to be loved, which makes us look for love in all the wrong places.

The good thing about our God is that He sees us just as we are, yet He still invites us closer.

Jesus consistently challenged the performative faith of the religious leaders in His day. What do I mean by performative faith? It is that outward displaying of faith for the sake of appearances, often to impress others, rather than reflecting a genuine, internal conviction.

In Matthew 23:27-28 (NLT), He declared: “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Jesus wasn’t condemning effort or discipline. He was exposing the danger of image without intimacy, performance without purity. He was calling His people back to real relationship, not public approval.

Many a Christian needs to say like the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:10 (NLT): “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

There are simply too many people pleasers in the Body of Christ. That’s a hard truth in today’s world, where likes, shares, and applause can easily become idols. 

But we weren’t created to perform. We were created to glorify God by reflecting His truth and grace, not through perfection, but through surrender.

And it’s not just about being real with others — it’s about being real with God. 

David writes in Psalm 51:6 (NLT): “But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.”

God values honesty. Not rehearsed prayers or staged repentance, but honest confession and open hearts. 

Transparency with God leads to transformation. It’s in that honest place, not the filtered version of ourselves, that He meets us, shapes us, and uses us for His glory.

In John 4, we see a woman at the well hiding behind shame and status. But when Jesus engages her, He reveals that He already knows her truth, and He still offers her living water. Verse 24 (NLT) tells us: “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Not performance. Not pretense. Just truth.

God isn’t asking for a highlight reel or WhatsApp status.  He’s asking for our hearts.

Living authentically means trusting that God’s grace covers what we’re tempted to hide. It means letting our weakness become the stage for His strength. 

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT): “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
 

Family, sometimes we get weak, but at all times, we can draw on the strength of the Lord and keep it moving authentically.

Our weaknesses don’t disqualify us — they reveal God’s power. But only when we’re honest. Doesn’t make sense to be all happy-go-lucky and goody two-shoes in front of everyone and then go home and cry behind closed doors.

So, Family, in a culture chasing clout - influence or power, may we chase Christ. 

In a world perfecting images, may we perfect our faith. 

And in every room, every conversation, every platform — may we live unfiltered, unashamed, and fully surrendered.

Because when we are real, God is glorified.  

aub - 30May25 

www.zjoyvi.com

https://www.youtube.com/live/6RDqUDF7a1k?si=g9YR6Z4DEKy0TSKW