Do Not Be True to Yourself: Countercultural Advice for the Rest of Your Life

by Kevin DeYoung

Countercultural Yet Biblical Advice for High School and College Students, Ideal for Graduation and Birthday Gifts Most speeches addressed to high school and college students follow a similar march to the beat of your own drum. This may sound encouraging on the surface, but Scripture exhorts believers to submit their lives to the will of God, not their own desires. Christian students need gospel-centered truth to guide them on their journey toward independence. In this collection of inspiring sermons and graduation speeches, Kevin DeYoung delivers a motivational, biblical call to young serve God faithfully―and if necessary, counterculturally―in the next season of your life.  Do Not Be True to Yourself  includes practical advice for cultivating a Christ-centered worldview in every area of adult life, including relationships, work, church participation, and spiritual growth, making it a transformational resource for mentoring students. 

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology, Discipleship, Faith

66 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2023

About the author

Kevin DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, right across the street from Michigan State University.

Reviews

[ladydusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fine. Not earth shattering, but I'm old. The title is probably the most provocative part.

The recommended booklist in the back is excellent. DeYoung's writing style is tidy and easy to read.

It's very short, I could easily have read it in one sitting. I was reviewing it as a graduation gift, but it does presuppose college and some of my young friends are going different routes, so may not be a great fit.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin DeYoung has done it again! He has managed to offer timely biblical counsel, this time to young people who are high school or college graduates. His book, Do Not Be True to Yourself: Countercultural Advice for the Rest of Your Life is an encouraging book for students as they navigate their lives in a world of compromise.

The author presents a series of challenges for young people that are winsome and practical. But more importantly, DeYoung’s challenges are biblical. He sets the bar high and encourages students to take the biblical high ground. He contrasts the philosophy of the world with biblical imperatives that have teeth and happy ends.

Do Not Be True to Yourself is an excellent example of standing firm in the face of adversity. This very accessible book is the kind of material that needs to be placed in front of young Christian students. Dr. DeYoung is a breath of fresh air and a gift to the church.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short little booklet containing a few solid & succinct teachings on select passages of Scripture.
The book’s purpose is to be a “simple exhortation to serve God faithfully and counterculturally in the next season of your life.”
Chiefly written with senior teens or young adults in mind; but as the advice is chiefly biblical, Christians in any season of life could gain wisdom from it.

[Abby Emilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The test of a decent Christian Living book is whether or not you can be convicted and encouraged while sitting in the back of an auditorium doing a mario kart tournament on the last day of camp running on 4 hrs of sleep. This one passes.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Daniel Bouchoc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not what I expected. You could read in 40 minutes. A great book for high school students.

[Elizabeth Santelmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially loved chapter three and what church attendance does for the believer. My favorite quote was, “what you do with your commitment to a local church, will set you on a trajectory where Jesus Christ will truly be Lord of your life or where he will be something that you learned as a young person and then left behind.”

[Kamryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5!
I really enjoyed this short read—especially the part about the importance of going to church that first week you’re on your own.
There were some really great nuggets of wisdom in this book, but I think my one issue was that the topic “do not be true to yourself” was only really delved into for like 4 pages and it was a 57 page book. That isn’t a bad thing necessarily it was just that once that short segment was done I wasn’t really sure what direction this short book was going. But it had some great wisdom in it for late high schoolers, graduates, and almost anybody really, so I definitely recommend!!

[Manny Prieto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and helpful read. Aimed most specifically at young people finishing high school and preparing for the next chapter, likely on their own for the first time. Also, helpful for those already in college. Would be worth having a stack of these handy to give out to graduating seniors/college freshmen.

[Slater DeLeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and convicting. Any young person would benefit from the simple yet life changing truths in this book.

DON’T “do your thing” or “be true to yourself”… give yourself to something way better than yourself

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like most the content after chapter 1 didn’t really go with the title BUT all of what He said was good and important so I can’t give this less than 4 stars. Highly recommend for high school/college students!

[Holland Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great grad gift for a high school senior!

[Tara DuBose-Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea for this book started as a commencement address refuting the usual graduation advice to follow your heart. From there it morphed into an article and then this slim book. The content is good but feel disjointed and somewhat cobbled together. Everything DeYoung presents should be obvious to most Christians (value of church attendance, prioritizing faith), but again he is primarily addressing teenagers. This would be a good graduation gift.

[Owen Hebbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little volume. Barely a book. More of a booklet. It’s something that can be read in one sitting. It’s written for young people, so it doesn’t go deep, but it IS profound in a simple way. Its titular mission of challenging the authority of the Self is well-executed for the intended audience. Very friendly, approachable writing. Loved the list of 12 books to read for young people that he had at the back. Convicting that I (hardly young) haven’t read half of them.

[Molly Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5? Wasn’t really what I was expecting, so probably unfair… Aimed at teens going off to uni, this is a good basic book I would recommend to those who are trying to sit on the fence when it comes to Jesus

[Des Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and concise book. Recommend people to read. Especially young folks

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Peter Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin DeYoung has written a great little compilation of essays that will help young and old navigate the waters of the current cultural climate and get centered on Christ. Originally most of the essays were talks given at commencements and campus chapels, so they help young people get clear on what is most important, and yet, in doing so, they help us all get clarity on the main thing in life. Kevin is Bible saturated, gospel centered and very clear. Typical Kevin DeYoung! I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only quibble is I would have loved more. And the book understandably suffers from the limitations of being a compilation of several talks. But that being said, it is a wonderful read and will be a great help to students and parents, laymen and Pastors, and even those who might not yet know Christ. Take and read.

[Elizabeth Eflin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be an excellent book to give a highschool graduate, or a college student. Or it would be an excellent read for you if you know people in either of these categories. DeYoung does an excellent job of calling students to place their identity in what really matters: Christ. It's a concise, and accessible read. Filled with enough wisdom that those who love reading will still glean from it, but written in an easily understood language so less strong readers will still be able to consume it.

[John Boyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little booklet, intended for new graduates is an important reminder for all of is to answer the simple question, “Is Jesus your top priority?” De Young, in simple language, encourages the reader to make sure Jesus is the center of your life. The church must be important in the young persons life and that fact will be reflected in everything else they do. Great little gift for your new graduate but readers of all ages and stages and glean encouragement and wisdom.

[Michelle Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Read to consider as a graduation gift. I think I preferred this on audio (parts were initially delivered as graduation speeches). This was good. Helpful I think to a teen and interesting even as an adult. I really loved chapter 3 (I think?) about the importance of finding a local church to be a part of even at college. I would give this as a gift, though I lean toward gifting excellent condition Classic books for graduation ☺️
I think I will have my high schoolers give this a listen at some point; it’s a short 1.5 hr audiobook.
Overall, He has good advice.

[Campbell Wiersma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I thought it was very repetitive of things my parents and other adults in my life have said to me since I entered high school.

I'd say it is a good book for any new Christians who are heading off to college

[Sydney Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and concise yet profound. this is a quick read that offers encouragement and conviction for the young adults. my favorite chapter was “Two Ways to Live” which was an exploration of Psalm 1. Deyoung writes clearly and concisely, and he challenged me as a reader.

[Kenzie Stinnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great with telling you how important it is to center your life around Christ now and when you start a new chapter!

[Brantley Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read; good read. This book covers a variety of topics regarding Christian life. The title is mostly an attention grabber and main theme is: follow Jesus not yourself. I recommend for all.

I had a hard time deciding between 3 or 4 stars but I guess I’ll do 4. Chapter 2 was one of the best chapters I’ve ever read… it alone was a resounding 5 stars. On the other hand I don’t think I like chapter 5 (2 stars). I’ll have to wrestle with the last chapter some more.

[Peter Redington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little book, but not sure the title was super accurate. Didn't quite turn it to be what I wanted to read about

[Emma S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Maybe a 3.5 stars - it doesn’t stand out as much as some other deYoung books I have read, but it’s a solid, Biblical read. I can see why it would be handy to give out to anyone starting at university - a quick read but lots of implications for your life. It’s aimed more at helping people to decide if they want to not just know Jesus but follow Him, so I recognise I wasn’t quite the targer audience. However, his chapter on the church was striking, as was the chapter on Psalm 1.

Overall, a handy book to hand out!

[Gwyneth Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this book to every graduating senior that comes through our youth group! Short and to the point. Honest advice with a convicting challenge. 11/10 would recommend.

[Cole Stumph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by brother who is just as allergic to reading as I am, and it did not disappoint. This short little book is a phenomenal read for anyone who likes good practical advice package in a concise manner. Kevin DeJong does a great job of saying so much in such a small amount of words and his writing kept me engaged the whole time. The content was very theologically rich and DeJong analyzes many different passages in scripture in order to give good honest advice on how to live a God honoring life. To conclude I would have to give this book 5 Kevins out of 5.

[Kimberly Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but basic.

DeYoung’s audience is high schoolers. That in mind, understandably the book is short (58 pages, plus some end material) and basic (nothing a church-ed kid wouldn’t have heard before).
It felt a bit like a Cliff Notes version of Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life.
The reason I give it 3 stars is due to the title. I was expecting a short book that would tell me in some new way that serving God is the only way to really live a worthwhile life. What I got was a booklet telling me that I need to choose for myself to go to church and live for God or risk being someone who lives a trivial life, coming close to being right, but not hitting the mark. In fact, that one sentence is my summary of the whole 58 pages.
Nothing wrong with it. Just not what I thought I was getting.