You might not be familiar with Megan Woods because she’s new to the Christian music industry, but her song “The Truth” has been playing on Christian radio stations recently. Although I don’t know much about her, I know her song “The Truth” has some issues. Most of the lyrics don’t bother me, but the chorus makes me cringe—and honestly, it should make all Christians cringe.
I Make Him Proud and I Make Him Smile?
The truth is I am my Father’s child
I make Him proud and I make Him smile
If you just listen to the first verse of “The Truth,” you might assume Megan is referring to her body image. However, once the chorus starts, it becomes clear that she’s talking about her whole identity, not just her body. In the lyrics above—the first two lines of the chorus—Megan claims that she makes God proud, which bothers me because I’ve never come across a Bible verse that says God is proud of His children. Yes, the Bible references His love, compassion, and mercy toward His children—but not His pride in them. To be honest, there’s no reason for God to be proud of His children. The only reason they’re righteous in His sight is because His Son atoned for their sins. (Read Romans 5 to see what I mean!)
I’d argue that God takes pride (or pleasure) in His Son—who submitted to the Father’s will and redeemed humanity from sin and death. When we choose to trust in Jesus and the sacrifice He made on our behalf, we’re counted as righteous—not because of anything we’ve done but because of what Jesus has done (Titus 3:4-7). I think we need to demonstrate the humility that John the Baptist demonstrated when he baptized Jesus, rather than making claims about God taking pride in us.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV, emphasis mine)
He Looks at Me and Wouldn’t Change a Thing?
I was made in the image of a perfect King
He looks at me and wouldn’t change a thing
The third and fourth lines of the chorus make me squirm even more than the first and second lines. Do I believe that humans are made in God’s image and that He’s the perfect King? Yes. But do I believe He’s content for us to remain as we are when we accept His gift of eternal life, even though He has the power to transform us to look like His Son? No way.
There’s a difference between “come as you are” and “stay as you are.” I realize the Church sometimes combines those ideas, but Scripture doesn’t. Anyone can decide to follow Jesus, no matter what sins he or she has committed. But once someone makes that decision, his or her life will never be the same. The Holy Spirit indwells those who follow Jesus, convicting them, correcting them, and conforming them to resemble the One they follow.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 NASB1995, emphasis mine)
The Actual Truth
Megan’s song may be called “The Truth,” but the lyrics aren’t completely true. At best, they’re an embellishment. At worst, they’re a lie. (And the irony is almost too great for me to handle.)
Sadly, even when we listen to Christian songs, we have to pay attention to the lyrics to ensure they align with Scripture. Just because a lyric is in a Christian song doesn’t make it true. But I’m thankful that God’s Word is completely true and completely trustworthy. For Megan’s sake—and for the sake of her listeners—I hope her next single doesn’t stray so far from it.
Lyrics are from YouTube.
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