Most are familiar with the concept of “Instagram vs. Reality”. It’s where people present a filtered version of their lives while intentionally choosing to conceal the more messy and imperfect truth of real life. 

In the book of Jeremiah, we see the Israelites doing the same thing, putting on a spiritual show, while their hearts were far from God.

Instagram: Temple worship and offered sacrifices 

If they had Instagram back then, they would post a picture in front of the Temple and caption it “We’re God’s people. We’re doing fine.”

The Israelites believed they were in good standing with God. They pointed to the temple as proof of His presence and blessing in their lives, although they were just going through the motion of worship and sacrifice (Jeremiah 7). In their eyes, as long as the temple stood, everything was okay. It was their spiritual Instagram filter.

But God saw through it.

Reality: Your worship is fake, and your hearts are corrupt.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God exposed the truth. God wasn’t impressed by their appearances or acts, He wanted their hearts. In Jeremiah 4:4, the people are told to circumcise their hearts! Yes, they were physically circumcised, but God searches and knows a man by their heart. 

“Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, ‘We are safe’—safe to do all these detestable things?” Jeremiah 7:9–10

They claimed to be followers of God, but were living in rebellion by worshiping idols, oppressing the vulnerable and ignoring justice.

Jeremiah 2:35 shows this misbelief: 

“You say, ‘I am innocent; he is not angry with me.’ But I will pass judgment on you because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’”

God is basically saying, you’ve edited your story to look righteous, but I see the raw and real you.

What God wanted from them, and me and you today, isn’t just outward religion. He wants repentance, justice, and a genuine relationship with Him.

In Jeremiah 3:12, God tells Israel to return to him and that He won’t be angry forever. Even in judgment, God’s goal was restoration. He invited them to take off the filter, confess the truth, and come home.

The message of Jeremiah is uncomfortably relevant and real. It’s possible to look spiritual on the outside while being far from God on the inside. In a world of curated feeds and religious appearances, God is calling us to authenticity. To be real with Him and to let our lives reflect true obedience, not just edited righteousness.

See you next week!