Have you ever felt like a fraud? It’s rather disquieting, knowing that who people think you are isn’t who you really are; that they’d be horrified to know the doubts, the dark thoughts, swilling around inside you.
Twentieth-century American Ferdinand Waldo Demara became known as the “Great Impostor”, posing as a monk, psychologist, prison warden, and even a naval surgeon — all without qualifications. During the Korean War, he performed major surgeries aboard a Canadian warship by memorising medical textbooks the night before.
Publicly, he was praised as a heroic doctor saving lives. But behind the scenes, it was all a lie. He said he wanted to “serve humanity,” yet he consistently deceived institutions and individuals, often endangering lives. His charm masked a deep dishonesty. Though he claimed noble intentions, his life became a study in false righteousness — appearing good, but built on fraud. Prays the psalmist …
Psalm 119:29-32 Don’t let me live a lie. Guide me with your teachings. I have chosen to be loyal to you. I respect your laws. I follow your rules closely, LORD. Don’t let me be put to shame. I do my best to follow your commands, because you are the one who gives me the desire.
“Following rules” isn’t the most popular thing in the world these days. And yet, the more you let the Word of God impact you, the more you allow His goodness to be your guide, let me tell you, the less of a fraud you end up being. And in the end, it ain’t all that difficult because, more and more, God is the one who gives you that desire.
Don’t live a lie.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
