Be Real: An Interview with Rick Bezet

Life is tough. We must understand the freedom of being real with God, writes Rick Bezet.

Q: Why do people need to Be Real with God?

Rick Bezet: I have talked to many Christians through the years, including pastors even, who battle feelings of condemnation, insecurity and inferiority. Christ died for us to have victory in our lives, yet so many believers lack confidence in their approach to God and in who God made them to be. It’s a chronic situation that ticks me off. And fake is really exhausting when you believe that God doesn’t want you around, or when you think He’s mad at you. As a kid, I had a very mean Sunday School teacher who talked about hell like she was born and raised there! She said, “Hell is hot, Bezet! You do want to go to heaven, don’t you?” I replied, “Not if you’re there, I don’t!”

Hebrews 10:22a says, “Draw near to God with a sincere heart.” The word “sincere” can be easily overlooked, but it means “free from pretense or deceit.” I believe we have confidence to be real, to come out of hiding for good, and to bring wholeness and integrity to all areas of our lives when we truly understand that God accepts us! You don’t really let down your guard with God until you realize that the God who loves you really does love you! When we get real with God in sincere conversation, we get real confidence and boldness that can’t be shaken.

Q: When you first gave your heart to the Lord, someone challenged you to be honest with God. What was that about?

Rick: I had an uncle who loved God the way I wanted to, and he told me early on that I could be honest with God about anything. That idea was revolutionary to me, and I was soon able to try it out. Before Christ, I loved to smoke marijuana. Well, one day I was filling up my car …