public function validateData(array $data, array $rules, array $messages)
    {
        if ($rules) {
            $this->customValidator->setData($data);
            $this->customValidator->setRules($rules);
            $this->customValidator->setCustomMessages($messages);

            //if the validator fails, kick back the errors
            if ($this->customValidator->fails()) {
                return implode('. ', $this->customValidator->messages()->all());
            }
        }

        return true;
    }