Being True to Yourself: What Does It Mean for a Christian?
There’s a popular phrase that seems to show up everywhere these days: “Be true to yourself.” And while it sounds inspiring on the surface, I’ve recently come across people using this idea in relation to their Christian walk. I often hear people say, “I just want to be true to myself,” which, in essence, is like saying, “I don’t want my faith to affect my daily life.”
At first glance, it might sound harmless. But as I reflect on it, I can’t help but think that this mindset is actually the opposite of what we’re called to as Christians. The Bible teaches us something very different about where our true selves come from and how we should live.
When we read Scripture, it becomes clear that our “true self” isn’t about just following our own desires. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This is a powerful reminder that if we follow only our own hearts—without ever aligning with God’s truth—we may end up led by our own whims or desires, which can be misleading.
Our True Identity in Christ
So, what does it mean for a Christian to “be true to themselves”? It’s not about sidelining our faith to keep comfortable; rather, it’s about finding our identity in Jesus. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Our calling as believers is to let our identity be shaped by Christ and by the desires He places within us.
God designed us with unique personalities and passions, and He wants to work through those qualities. But to live authentically as Christians, our focus must be on letting God’s will shape our desires—not the other way around. Psalm 37:4 reminds us that “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When we take joy in our relationship with God, our desires begin to shift, becoming more aligned with His will for our lives. In other words, as we deepen our walk with Him, being “true to ourselves” and true to God become one and the same.
I know I use this verse a lot, but… Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trusting God with all our hearts means surrendering the things we may think we want or need in favor of what He knows is best. When we trust Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He leads us down paths that align with our true purpose.
Learning to Desire What God Desires
But how does this look in practice? How do we find a way to be genuinely happy while staying in line with God’s will? I think it’s by seeking to know God’s heart more each day, through prayer and time in Scripture. Over time, our prayers shift from “God, help me have what I want” to “God, help me want what You want.”
The difference in those prayers will change the way we live, helping us to trust Him more deeply and to find joy in living for Him.
It’s freeing to know that we don’t have to figure it all out alone. God promises to transform us as we pursue Him. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” When we allow our minds and hearts to be renewed in Christ, the gap between our desires and His becomes smaller.
Living Out Authentic Faith
In today’s world, there’s a lot of pressure to be self-focused, to do what makes us happy regardless of how it impacts our faith. But as Christians, we’re called to live differently. It’s only by rooting ourselves in God’s love, trusting His wisdom, and surrendering our will that we can truly “be ourselves”—the version of ourselves that reflects His love and truth.
So, my challenge to all of us is this: Let’s seek to be true to the person God created us to be. Let’s pray that our desires will start to mirror His, trusting that He knows what’s best for our lives. When we do, we’ll find that following Him isn’t a loss of self but a discovery of our true identity.
