Written by ASTRO DE GREAT
Introduction
Many of us grew up doing things because our religion told us to not because we were truly convicted or understood why. We dressed a certain way, behaved a certain way, avoided certain people or habits because that’s what the “church rules” said. But deep down, many struggled with confusion, guilt, and even secret rebellion, because they didn’t know why they were doing what they did.
Let me share a personal story.
My Story : Judged by My Hair
One day, I ran into a pastor’s wife who greeted me kindly and asked how I was doing. We were just having a normal conversation until she noticed my hair jelly curls, neatly done, fresh and clean. Then she asked me a question that shocked me:
“Do you still go to church?”
I answered, “Yes, I do.”
Then she looked at me again and said, “Then why is your hair like the people of the world?”
In that moment, something inside me broke. Not because I was angry but because I realized how many people confuse appearance for spirituality… how many people are taught to judge others based on external things rather than looking at the heart.
The Lesson: Religion Can Condition, but Only Conviction Transforms
This is the painful reality for many Christians. We’ve been conditioned to measure righteousness by dress codes, hair styles, jewelry, or church attendance. We forget that Jesus didn’t die so we could all look the same He died so we could all be transformed from within.
Here’s the problem: many people are no longer following Jesus they’re following the traditions of those who claim to represent Him.
It’s easy to follow rules, but it’s hard to follow truth. Why? Because truth demands intimacy with God, not just obedience to men. When you do things out of conviction because the Holy Spirit has personally led you to that understanding it sticks. It produces peace. But when you do things out of fear of judgment, pressure, or trying to fit into a religious mold, it becomes burdensome.
The Danger of Superficial Religion
When the focus is on outward appearance, we miss the real work God wants to do inside us:
- A man can wear a white suit and carry a big Bible but be full of bitterness.
- A woman can wear a long skirt and cover her hair but still gossip and slander others.
- A youth can avoid tattoos and still live in deep secret sin.
Religion without personal conviction creates Fake Holiness behavior that pleases people, not God.
What Conviction Really Means
Conviction is not shame.
Conviction is not public pressure.
Conviction is not fear of hell.
Conviction is a deep, personal, Holy Spirit-driven awareness of what pleases God and it’s always accompanied by love and peace, not fear.
For example, if God convicts you to stop wearing a certain style, He’ll also give you the grace and joy to do it. But if someone forces you to change just to be accepted in their religious group, it creates resentment, confusion, and hypocrisy.
To the Religious Systems and Leaders
Dear pastors, church workers, and religious authorities let us stop damaging the next generation by making holiness about external measurements. The Bible says:
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
Teach people how to walk with God. Teach them how to hear His voice. Let the Spirit lead them into truth not culture, not tradition, not fear-based manipulation.
A Message to You Reading This
You are not your hairstyle.
You are not your clothes.
You are not what others say about you.
You are who God says you are.
Let your convictions come from your relationship with Him. If your conscience is clear and your walk with God is sincere, then stand boldly. Don’t let religion silence your authenticity. Don’t let others judge your soul by the surface of your skin.
You are loved. You are growing. And God is patient with you.
Final Words
Let’s build a generation of believers who don’t just look holy but who are holy. People whose hearts are clean before God, not just their outward appearance before men.
Because when true conviction replaces religious compulsion, we stop being actors on a stage and become true worshipers in spirit and truth.
Written by ASTRO DE GREAT
Astro 