What does it mean to be authentic and why is it so important for Christians to be real with one another? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares reasons you might struggle with authenticity and keys to experiencing the benefits authenticity.
It’s so easy to hide, because we know we’re all imperfect. God’s not looking for perfection, He’s looking for connection.
What is authenticity?
Authenticity is when your thoughts, your words, and your actions are all in agreement.
Why aren’t we authentic?
- Guilt and shame.
Guilt says “what I did was wrong,” shame says “who I am is wrong.”
Genesis 3:7-10 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. 9Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
When you’re ashamed your first reaction is to hide. You can hide by withdrawing or by lying. - Pride.
Luke 5:29-32
“The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners.” - Fear.
Hebrews 4:13
God knows the real you and He still loves you anyway.
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
If we will allow ourselves to be loved by God, fear won’t have a foothold in our lives.
How can we become authentic?
Honesty leads to authenticity.
- Be honest with yourself.
2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.”
That ability you have to judge others? That was meant for you not them. - Be honest with each other.
James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
You don’t need to tell everyone, but you need to tell someone.
If you’ll confess your thoughts, you won’t have to confess your sin as much. - Be honest with God.
1 John 1:8-9 TPT “If we boast that we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth. 9But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Are you being authentic?