I can't imagine how hard it is for younger Christians to navigate this culture, this world, today. A solid Biblical foundation is necessary.. it's a must. DeYoung's passion to equip people to navigate today's culture is evident in this book. His approach to the challenges we face today are practical and thorough. These are principles that can and should be lived out daily in order to build godly habits that help us to walk that narrow path. I recommend this book to any Christian, but particularly those who are graduating and may be going fresh into the world.

Do Not Be True to Yourself is written for high school graduates and college students, but applies to everyone. DeYoung pushes against the idea of relative truth and doing whatever you want to do and instead live by the Word of God. Oftentimes this means denying ourselves and putting God and others before us. A very applicable message.

Every word of this book should be read by every person. We live in a culture that is so self-focused, Kevin DeYoung combats that notion with biblical truth and clarity.

*I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my review.

Kevin DeYoung presents a faith-based guide for Christian students in his book, "Do Not Be True to Yourself." Instead of promoting self-centeredness, DeYoung advocates for a life submitted to God's will.

Drawing from a collection of his sermons and graduation speeches, DeYoung inspires young individuals to faithfully serve God, even if it means diverging from societal norms. "Do Not Be True to Yourself" offers practical counsel on cultivating a Christ-centered worldview, equipping Christian students to navigate the upcoming challenges.

DeYoung's speeches strike a balance between motivation and scriptural grounding, providing a reliable foundation for readers. He encourages young believers to prioritize their relationship with God over personal desires, recognizing that genuine fulfillment and purpose stem from Him.

Amidst a culture that glorifies self-indulgence, "Do Not Be True to Yourself" offers a refreshing outlook. With its practical advice and biblical wisdom, this book has the potential to shape the lives of young believers, empowering them to live out their faith in preparation for the future.

The most powerful influences in your life are often the things you don't even think about, the things you do out of habit, the things you do because you always do them-whether someone makes you do them or not. We are not formed not just by thoughts but by habits too, study the habits, exercise habits, social media habits, personal hygiene habits. Embrace the right rhythms. In time what we do becomes who are.

Wow a powerful short text on walking the Christian life. This text is excellent gift for college bound students to remind them of the battle of their souls. Our identity as a Christian is in Christ. What does that look like and how is that applied is what makes this text so valuable in today's world. Understanding sin, the power of God, wisdom in delayed gratification. Discussed with clarity and authority.

We live in opposing worldviews and we need the authority of the word of God in our heart, mind, and soul. This text does not give a strategy but a right way of looking at the world thru the lens of scripture. Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This was a really helpful book for teenagers and young adults in particular during those transitional moments in life.

My appreciation goes to @netgalley and @crosswaybooks for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

My husband and I read this with our teenage children, one of whom graduates high school this year. We asked them to give us feedback for this review which is incorporated below.
This book was pointed and immediately applicable. It was short so it didn't feel difficult to understand or keep up with. It provided much help in terms of navigating difficult situations and focussed clearly on the importance of investing in a long-term relationship with God.
The book pointed us away from ourselves and what we want and rather to thinking about how to grow as people who can serve and care for others. The challenge to be part of church was helpful, as was the challenge to make many choices always to put God first.
The points raised were clear, relevant and in-depth without being too dense. The call to not be self-centred but Christ-centred was encouraging and the reminder that we don't need strategies but rather a saviour was motivational and ultimately transformational. This is a book we can keep going back to as we seek to grow up as people who know and love God.

Fantastic. Home run. Fit words to a graduating student, and particularly to a high school graduate, though I will be insisting that all of my own students, whether graduating or not, read this engaging and important work. While engaging and important normally call to mind dry and interesting tomes, Do Not Be True to Yourself is neither. Filled with exacting illustrations and engaging language, DeYoung manages to convey his countercultural advice with extreme brevity and boldness. I am thankful to NetGalley and Crossway for providing an advanced galley of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

First sentence: In May 2022, I had the privilege of giving the commencement address at Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA). I didn't want to recycle the usual commencement fare: "Follow your dreams! Be all that you can be! Go out and change the world!" Instead, I decided to give the opposite sort of advice, as you'll see when you read the first chapter of this book.

This LITTLE (gem of a) book contains five addresses (sermons) by Kevin DeYoung written for young people--high school graduates and college graduates. There are five sermons in all: "Don't Be True To Yourself," "Choose For Yourselves," "The First Day of the Next Chapter of Your Life," "Two Ways to Live," "Horseshoes, Hand Grenades, and the Kingdom of God." While all five sermons have the same target audience in mind, each can stand alone. They share similar themes--how to best live life or how to best prepare for living life. DeYoung keeps God central in all of these addresses, and he's urging his listeners (readers) to do the same. Because the general topic is HOW TO LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, these sermons while geared towards the young are just as true, just as relevant, just as on point for listeners/readers of ALL ages (and stages).

I particularly LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the first chapter, "Do Not Be True To Yourself." I think it is a must read sermon.

Another thing that I appreciated is the appendix, "Twelve "Old(ish) Books to Read When You Are Young." I can't say that I agree with his choices. I'd say about seven or eight are ambitious/intimidating undertakings. They are arranged in order of publication, his contemporary choices (R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer, C.S. Lewis) are more realistic. This is an annotated bibliography so there are descriptions of each book. It did make me think about what books I'd suggest for "Twelve Old(ish) Books To Read When You Are Young." (I may make a post of that yet.)

And here we have yet another theologically robust and practically beneficial read from Kevin DeYoung!

I am grateful to have had the opportunity provided by Crossway and NetGalley to digitally read this book and provide an honest review.

Heeding the warnings and admonitions Jesus Himself gives for what seeking and being a part of His Kingdom biblically looks like, reminded me of all the takeaways I gleaned from the book "You Who?" by Rachel Jankovic. That book, this book, and the Bible teach what our self-absorbed, sinful society (and selves!) desperately need!
*see page 8 and John 12:24-25.

"Do Not Be True to Yourself" is a fitting exhortation for the young and the old, the milk drinking and the meat eating Christian, and for you and for me.

I have read previous Kevin DeYoung books and enjoyed them. When I came across this title, I gave it to my sixteen year old daughter to review with confidence. She said that it was a helpful book. She could tell that the author was passionate about the target age group of the book. She said that he asked many questions that were worth considering. I plan to purchase a hardcover copy of the book upon publication for our home and to purchase additional copies for friends with children who are graduating in the coming years.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preview this title.

I would highly recommend buying this book for any junior/senior in high school who grew up in the church. Then highlight chapters 3 and 5 for them. :) Chapter 3 talks about how important it is to plan and go to church in college. Chapter 5 is all about how being close to the Kingdom and supportive of Jesus is not enough. Each person has to choose for themselves to be full out committed to Jesus. (The rest of the book is good too).

Thank you to Net Galley and Crossway for this ARC. I hope it encourages so many students to put Jesus first as they leave home and become independent adults.