Keep quiet and let them assume whatever they want

Answer plainly and tell the truth about yourself

Shift the conversation to make yourself seem larger

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and have tried to make myself something I am not. I cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and from every false name I have carried. Forgive me, make me new, and be my Lord. Amen.

Receive the Lord of Truth

Lord, revive your Church to speak plainly, refuse pride, and point every question to Christ. Where we have exaggerated ourselves or hidden the truth, bring repentance. Give us humility, clear witness, and courage to answer honestly before a confused world, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive a Truthful Church

Father, I confess that I sometimes reach for recognition, status, or a bigger image than is true. Forgive me for pride and for fearing what people think. Teach me to be content with the truth, and shape my words and motives to match what is real, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Confess Pride and Pretending

Give thanks for the God who sees you clearly and does not need you to perform. Thank him for the freedom to be honest, the dignity of a humble role, and the grace to speak simply and truthfully.

Thank God for Being Known Truly

Before a conversation where you may be pressed to define yourself, pause and ask God for a calm heart, clear words, and courage to say only what is true. Then name the specific question before him and ask for help to answer it plainly.

Pray Before You Answer

Pray for people who feel they must sound important to be accepted, for leaders and teachers to avoid self-promotion, and for the Church to tell the truth without fear. Ask God to free hearts from image-management and to make testimony simple and faithful.

For Those Under Pressure to Impress

καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἠρώτησαν{ee-RO-ti-san###ee-ROH-tee-sahn###they asked} αὐτόν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} Τί{TI###TEE###what} οὖν{OON###OON###then} σὺ{SEE###SEE###you} Ἠλίας{ee-LEE-as###ee-LEE-ahs###Elijah} εἶ{EE###EE###are} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} λέγει{LE-YEE###LEH-YEE###he says} Οὐκ{ook###ook###not} εἰμί{ee-MEE###ee-MEE###I am} Ὁ{ho###hoh###(the)} προφήτης{pro-FEE-tis###proh-FEE-tees###prophet} εἶ{EE###EE###are} σύ{SEE###SEE###you} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀπεκρίθη{a-pe-KREE-thee###ah-peh-KREE-thee###he answered} Οὔ{OO###OO###no}

John 1:21 — LiteralTAB

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