"Athlete denies the use of performance-enhancing drugs". "Politician denies engaging in inappropriate behavior". These are the recent headlines of the news. Rather than just humbling themselves, acknowledging wrong, and asking for forgiveness, people go through elaborate explanations trying to hide and excuse their sin. Their denials in light of the evidence only make them look ridiculously sad. People would have a lot more mercy on them, if they would just be honest. The Bible says, He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion (Proverbs 28:13).
As foolish as it is for any of us to attempt to hide the reality about ourselves to each other, how much more foolish is it to try not being real with God?! The Bible says of God, O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all (Psalm 139:1-4).
There were religious leaders called, "Pharisees", who lived in Israel when Jesus was on the earth. These men were extremely zealous to appear very holy in the eyes of people. However, they didn't know how much God knew the truth about their hearts. Jesus scathingly rebuked them, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:25-28).
By speaking the truth to them, Jesus was actually giving them hope. It's when we admit the truth about ourselves, as ugly and humbling as it may be, that we can receive the mercy and strength we need. As long as people won't be honest, they will be without the grace and help they currently suffer for lack of.
The Bible says the bottom line is this: The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one (Psalm 14:2-3). Are you really willing to deny what God says? The Bible says, If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us (I John 1:8).
Jesus came to save sinners. He said plainly, I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). When you come to the place in your heart when you are truly convicted of the sinfulness of your heart against God, then you are ready to be saved. The message of the Bible is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. He took our sin and offers us His righteousness. The Bible says, All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him (Isaiah 53:6). And, He (God the Father) made Him (God the Son, Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (II Corinthians 5:21). The Bible says, ...Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved... (Acts 16:31).
What about you? Are you willing to get real with God? The Bible says, ...God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 5:6). And, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Transparency is a quality which is so rare. People live their lives not being real with each other, or with God. Too often, we lie to each other and to God. You might deceive other people for a time (probably not), but you're wasting your time pretending with God. The Bible says, And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13).
God already knows everything about you and He loves you and wants to help you. You have nothing to be afraid of. Get Real!