The rock band VERIDIA has built their band name and their mission around this concept: "an expression of truth and to strive for raw honesty in every aspect of daily life." The band is made up of lead singer Deena Jakoub, Brandon Brown, Kyle Levy and Trevor Hinesley. Don't miss the opportunity to see this great band live, as I've now seen them at Winter Jam and at Creation Fest, and I greatly enjoy their energetic set of songs. "Disconnected," "We Are the Brave," "Furious Love" and "Crazy in a Good Way" are all engaging "expressions of truth," and Deena's stellar vocals are very powerful in a concert setting.

In their single "Pretty Lies" (featuring Matty Mullins) from their EP Pretty Lies, Deena passionately cries out "we were meant to be perfectly imperfect, such a beautiful mess." This is how God has called us to live in this broken world filled with "pretty lies," trying to tell us to strive for an impossible perfection. I had the chance to speak with Deena in person about the song.

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

For me, I really just needed this song. Sometimes as an artist you need a song as a placeholder and a reminder for what you are struggling with. Something I've always struggled with is comparing myself to other people. Approval is a big thing, especially as a woman. At the same time, I had Matty Mullins featured in the song and that was on purpose, because we wanted a man's voice to also represent this issue. 

It's so important to recognize that we all go through this. We give ourselves permission every day to compare ourselves to other people and their level of beauty and success, and you'll see people say "you're perfect" on social media. I got taken aback one day and thought about how nobody is perfect and zero percent of us are flawless. I needed a reminder that we were all created perfectly imperfect, and if we could just learn to love ourselves for who we were created to be and be satisfied with that. We need to know that our unique qualities are on purpose and very much intentional. That's what this song is about.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV): "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Ephesians 3:19-21 (NKJV): "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Acts 2:28 (VOICE): "Instead, You direct me on a path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment."

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV): "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Romans 12:2 (The Voice): "Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."

What is the takeaway message?

We contrast with each other, and like any beautiful painting, we need to have contrast for you to see the light. That's part of who we are and one of the reasons for the song for me. Our faith plays a role in the songs that we write, and I know who I was created to be. The reason we titled this EP "Pretty Lies" based on this song is because it is a unifying theme. 

The band is me and these guys on the road. We all struggle with anxiety and the stresses of "keeping up with the Joneses." We are on the road all the time and not necessarily making money doing what we do, but feeling called to share the stories that have inspired us. That's a piece of our story, but everyone in everyday life is struggling with something, and what I want everyone to take away is to try to find satisfaction in themselves and to live in a community where we support one another instead of comparing ourselves and putting ourselves down because of what we haven't achieved yet. That's only going to make us stagnant instead of moving forward in a positive way.

Lyrics:
Painted on porcelain
Rose petal lips
Could this be perfection?
This mirror likes to fib
How about now?
Am I good enough?
How about now?
Will I ever be enough?
If I change, would I find love?

I'm calling out these
Pretty pretty lies 
Pretty pretty lies 
Pretty pretty lies
We were meant to be perfectly imperfect 
Such a beautiful mess
I'm calling out these 
Pretty pretty lies 
Pretty pretty lies 
Pretty pretty lies

Suit and tie 
Success in dollar signs 
Buying our time 
When what we all want is an extraordinary life
How about now?
Am I good enough?
How about now?
Will I ever be enough?
If I change, would I find love?

Ink stained green paper
Fast cars, soul chasers 
Pretty pretty lies
Pretty pretty lies
Make-up, smoke eyes
Won't hide cries behind 
Pretty pretty lies
Pretty pretty lies

I have three young daughters under the age of seventeen, and I take my responsibility as a Christian father very seriously. My daughters' sense of self-worth, love and knowledge of who they are in Christ is going to be most learned while they live in my home. As the primary spiritual leader of my family, one of my jobs is to teach my girls biblical principles about love and self-respect. This song really captures my true desire as a hurting father in this broken world which tells girls "pretty lies" and instead is a reminder to put all of my hope in Christ's love and affirm to my daughters that they are loved more than they can ever know by me and their Heavenly Father.

Satan seeks to destroy us and our relationship with God by making us believe pretty lies that things of this world will fill the holes in our hearts. Veridia has written and sung an exceptional set of songs based on truth that deal with the identity struggle we all face of knowing that as children of God we are made in His image, and we are made whole only by His love. We are called as Christians to believe in the freedom that we have in the Cross of Jesus. We are free from our fears, addictions, insecurities and perfectionism. Jesus came to die for us so that we can all truly live in Him.

This song and "Furious Love" are about being made in God's image and not seeking society's approval, but knowing that God created and loves us all as we are. It does a wonderful job of challenging the world's definition of satisfaction and acknowledging spiritual warfare, while knowing that Jesus is the answer to all that we want and need. We are all in need of God to fix our beautiful messes in some way, and the beauty of grace is that it is not something we deserve or can earn. I love to sing along with this song with all of my heart, "we were meant to be perfectly imperfect, such a beautiful mess." Amen to that!

Watch the music video: