Many believers today want to 'keep it real.' They want to maintain their status as being 'strong' so they don't seem weak among the world - and no one will try to take advantage of them. They want people to know that they still ain't the one to mess with. But keeping it real may build a border of 'protection' around you in society, but it doesn't do much for your position before the Lord...or your testimony before others.

John 13:35 (KJV) - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The basis of our actions should be love - love for God and our fellow man. And within the context of loving our brethren, it should be done in a manner that we would want someone to do to us.

Would you want someone giving you a 'piece' of their mind because they want to keep it real?! Would you want someone to treat you badly because they don’t want to be bothered?!

I thought so...

We must be cognizant of our thoughts and behavior to ensure we are keeping things God's way. The world's way may bring respect (or fear) in others, but it doesn’t help your Christian witness before them or God.

Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV) - Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:39 (KJV) - But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:40 (KJV) - And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

Matthew 5:41 (KJV) - And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Matthew 5:42 (KJV) - Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV) - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

These can be some hard verses for the flesh...it doesn't want to give in, give up, or lie down. It will fight for its 'right' to have its way:

Galatians 5:16-24 (KJV) - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

You don't have to keep it 'real,' you can 'keep it God.' All things are possible through God...so ask for His help, mercy, and strength to stand. Make the choice to crucify the flesh. Stay in the Word of God and read (and study) the conduct Jesus established for us (through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). Allow His Words to saturate your mind , heart, and soul.

...keep it God!