Embracing Authenticity: The Key to True Influence

Devotional

Day 1: Authenticity Over Hypocrisy

Authenticity is vital in a world that increasingly values the fake over the real; when our outward appearance does not match our inward reality, we risk becoming hypocrites, losing influence, and missing the opportunity to reflect Christ genuinely to those around us. Jesus warns that true spiritual life is not about looking good on the outside while hiding greed and self-indulgence within, but about letting God transform us from the inside out so that our actions and words align with our hearts. [16:12]

Matthew 23:25-26 (ESV)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean."

Reflection: In what area of your life do your words and actions not match, and what is one step you can take today to bring your inner and outer life into alignment?

Day 2: Modeling Authenticity in Leadership and Influence

True influence and leadership come from being real and transparent, not from projecting a flawless image; when we are honest about our struggles and live out what we teach, we gain credibility and the ability to impact others for the kingdom of God. Paul’s example shows that authenticity—admitting weakness, refusing to manipulate, and simply following Jesus—builds trust and opens doors for genuine spiritual influence. [24:16]

2 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)
"But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see your authentic faith in action, and how can you intentionally show them the real you this week?

Day 3: Jesus’ Vulnerability as a Model for Us

Jesus Himself modeled authenticity and vulnerability, openly expressing anguish and distress before His closest friends and before God, showing that true strength is found in honesty and surrender, not in pretending to have it all together. His willingness to be transparent in His darkest hour invites us to bring our real emotions and struggles to God and to trusted people, knowing that vulnerability is a key part of authentic faith. [27:34]

Matthew 26:36-39 (ESV)
"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go over there and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

Reflection: What is one area of pain or fear you have been hiding from God or others, and how can you take a step toward honest vulnerability today?

Day 4: The Power of Self-Reflection and Truthfulness

Practicing self-reflection and being careful to tell the truth about ourselves—without exaggeration or self-promotion—protects our influence and keeps us from drifting into hypocrisy; God calls us to examine where we might be pretending and to let His Spirit reveal areas needing change. When we are honest about our stories and struggles, we invite God’s transforming work and become trustworthy witnesses to those around us. [33:09]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: Take ten minutes today to ask God to search your heart—what is one truth about yourself you need to acknowledge and share with someone you trust?

Day 5: People Crave the Real You, Not a Substitute

In a world full of “flat” versions of ourselves—curated images, social masks, and shallow interactions—people are longing for the real, authentic you; when you show up as your true self, you create space for genuine connection and kingdom influence that no imitation can replace. Your family, friends, and coworkers need to see the person God is shaping, not a polished façade, because authenticity draws people to Christ and opens doors for meaningful impact. [39:24]

Romans 12:9 (ESV)
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."

Reflection: Where are you tempted to present a “flat” version of yourself, and what is one way you can show up as your authentic self in a relationship or situation this week?

Sermon Summary

In a world increasingly filled with deepfakes, curated images, and a constant pressure to present a perfect exterior, the hunger for authenticity has never been greater. Our culture is obsessed with what is real, and people are searching for something genuine in a sea of the artificial. This longing for authenticity is not just a cultural trend—it’s a spiritual necessity. Authenticity is the foundation of true influence, especially for those who want to make a difference for the kingdom of God.

We see this need for authenticity in every area of life, from the way we interact on social media to the way we lead in our homes, workplaces, and churches. The temptation to present a polished, flawless version of ourselves is strong, but it leads to a dangerous disconnect between our public persona and our private reality. Jesus addressed this head-on when He called out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, likening them to cups that are clean on the outside but filthy on the inside. He made it clear that God desires integrity—where the inside matches the outside.

Authenticity is not about perfection; it’s about being real. It’s about letting others see our struggles, our weaknesses, and our need for grace. This is what builds trust and influence. When we are honest about our shortcomings, we invite others into a space where they can be honest too. Paul modeled this kind of authenticity in his letters, openly sharing his struggles and refusing to use tricks or pretense to win people over. Even Jesus, in His most anguished moments in Gethsemane, was transparent with His disciples about His fear and sorrow.

To pursue authenticity, we must practice self-reflection, be careful not to exaggerate or self-promote, and embrace vulnerability. These steps are not just about emotional health—they are about spiritual growth and kingdom impact. People are not drawn to our perfection; they are drawn to our realness. Our families, friends, and communities are craving the authentic us, not a cardboard cutout or a curated image. When we live authentically, we gain the influence to point others to Jesus, who knows the real us and loves us completely.

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity is the foundation of true influence. In a world where the fake often masquerades as real, people are desperate for something genuine. When our words and actions align, we gain the credibility to speak into the lives of others and lead them toward Christ. Authenticity is not just a virtue; it is a powerful tool for kingdom impact. [09:15]
2. Hypocrisy erodes trust and influence, especially in spiritual leadership. When there is a disconnect between what we say and how we live, we lose the ability to impact those around us. Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees reminds us that God cares deeply about the condition of our hearts, not just our outward appearance. True spiritual leadership requires integrity and transparency. [16:12]
3. Vulnerability is a mark of Christlike authenticity. Jesus Himself modeled vulnerability in the Garden of Gethsemane, openly expressing His anguish and fear before His closest friends and before God. This kind of honesty invites others into deeper relationship and demonstrates that strength is found in dependence on God, not in pretending to have it all together. [27:34]
4. Self-reflection is essential for spiritual growth and authenticity. Taking time to ask hard questions about where we might be hiding, pretending, or exaggerating allows the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of inauthenticity. This practice is not about self-condemnation, but about inviting God to align our inner life with our outward actions, so that we can be people of integrity and influence. [33:09]
5. People are drawn to the real you, not a curated or “flat” version. Just as a family longs for the presence of the real son, not a cardboard cutout, our families, friends, and communities crave genuine connection. When we choose to be authentic, we create space for others to do the same, and we open doors for meaningful influence and kingdom conversations. [38:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Housekeeping and Seating Reminder
[02:30] - The Story of the Flamingon Photo
[04:45] - The Rise of Deepfakes and the Search for Authenticity
[07:50] - Prom Night and the Pressure of Perfection
[10:30] - John Maxwell on Authentic Leadership
[13:20] - The Danger of Hypocrisy in Faith
[15:40] - Jesus Confronts the Pharisees (Matthew 23)
[19:30] - The Importance of Matching Inside and Outside
[22:00] - Paul’s Model of Authenticity (2 Corinthians 4)
[24:16] - The Cost of Inauthentic Community
[27:12] - Jesus’ Vulnerability in Gethsemane (Matthew 26)
[31:00] - Three Steps Toward Authenticity
[33:09] - The Danger of Exaggeration and Lost Influence
[34:32] - A Personal Story of Missed Vulnerability
[37:27] - The Tale of Flat Dave and the Craving for the Real
[39:24] - The Call to Authentic Influence
[41:27] - Invitation to Authentic Relationship with Jesus
[43:23] - Jesus Loves the Authentic You
[45:24] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 23:25-26 — “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”

- 2 Corinthians 4:2
“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

- Matthew 26:36-39
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane... He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 23:25-26, what does Jesus say is the problem with the Pharisees’ approach to faith? What does the “inside” and “outside” of the cup represent?
According to 2 Corinthians 4:2, how does Paul describe his approach to ministry and sharing the gospel? What does he refuse to do?
In the story of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39), how does Jesus show vulnerability in front of his closest friends?
The sermon mentioned a story about “Flat Dave” and his family. What was the point of this story, and how does it relate to authenticity?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus was so harsh with the Pharisees about their hypocrisy? What kind of damage does hypocrisy do to spiritual influence?
Paul says he refuses to use tricks or pretense to win people over. Why is this important for Christian influence and leadership?
Jesus was open about his anguish and fear in Gethsemane. What does this teach us about the role of vulnerability in our faith and relationships?
The sermon said, “People are not drawn to our perfection; they are drawn to our realness.” Why do you think authenticity is so attractive to others, especially in today’s world?

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to practice self-reflection by asking hard questions about where we might be hiding, pretending, or exaggerating. What is one area of your life where you feel tempted to present a “polished” version of yourself? Why do you think you do this?
Jesus called out the Pharisees for being clean on the outside but filthy on the inside. Is there a place in your life where your “outside” doesn’t match your “inside”? What would it look like to let God clean the inside first?
Paul was honest about his struggles and didn’t try to impress people with a perfect image. Is there a struggle or weakness you’ve been hiding that you could share with someone you trust this week? How might that build trust and deeper connection?
The sermon talked about the danger of exaggeration and self-promotion. Are there ways you tend to stretch the truth or make yourself look better than you are? How can you catch yourself and choose honesty instead?
Jesus modeled vulnerability in Gethsemane by sharing his fear and sorrow. When was the last time you let someone see your real emotions or struggles? What happened as a result?
The story of “Flat Dave” showed that people crave the real you, not a cardboard cutout. Who in your life needs to see the authentic you right now? What is one step you can take this week to be more real with them?
The sermon ended by reminding us that Jesus knows the real, authentic you and loves you completely. How does knowing this change the way you think about being vulnerable and authentic with others?

Sermon Clips

But here's one of the most dangerous things you can do: talk about faith, tell your kids and your grandkids how important Jesus is, tell them how important reading the Bible is, tell them how important prayer is, and then never open up your Bible and never let them see you pray. Don't let them see you serve, don't let them see you be involved in church, just tell them how important it is. That's actually one of the more dangerous things you can do because it creates an inauthenticity in your faith where your kids go, where you're saying this but I don't see you living it. [00:13:46] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

Paul's writing to the church. He says, listen, we're not going to try to trick you. We're not going to try to be cool to get you. We're not going to try to water down the gospel. We're not going to try to be someone we're not. We're just going to follow Jesus. We're going to walk with Jesus. We're going to tell you what Jesus said. And we're going to tell you how to live out his life. We're not—no tricks, no underhanded, no nothing. What you see is who we are. [00:23:29] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

If you've got a church full of super-Christians and they haven't been bringing people who are struggling with real-life problems, their neighbors, they're not super-Christians. In fact, sharing Jesus with your neighbor is elementary Christianity 101. That's base level. So it's not a group of super-Christians. It's just a country club. [00:25:32] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

Matthew watches this happen. He watches Jesus, who is his hero, his leader, the greatest influencer on the planet, and he watches him. He says he was anguished and distressed. Jesus didn't try to be the tough guy. He wasn't the stoic sufferer. He's anguished, he's brokenhearted. [00:28:11] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

Vulnerable brings influence. Transparency brings influence. Being who God created you to be, striving after that, and not what the world wants you to be, brings influence because you gather around people who are in a fake world that are begging for, dying for, real. [00:37:02] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Flat Dave goes everywhere with the family. But everyone in that family craves real Dave. Flat Dave is just a cheap substitute for real Dave. In fact, the only reason why Flat Dave's there is because they want real Dave there. [00:38:51] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

People want real you, not fake you. People want authentic you, not inauthentic you. Parents, your kids, grandparents, your grandkids are craving the authentic you. Students, your friends that you go to school with are looking for authenticity, people who are real and not playing the game that everyone else is playing. [00:39:20] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

If you'll start putting some of these things together, be a person that draws people together, take accountability, be authentic, you'll find yourself of great influence in your office because people will be interested in what you have to say. And you don't just lead then for your career or whatever, you're now leading for kingdom issues and kingdom orientations to lead for Jesus. And that's what really matters. [00:39:49] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus fully knows the authentic you. He knows everything you've ever done. He knows every sin you've ever done. He knows every wrong thought, every wrong action that you've done. And here's the kicker, everything you're gonna do. He already knows. So he knows the authentic you better than you know the authentic you. And he loves the authentic you. Loves you so much that he went to the cross and died for you because he wants that intimate relationship with you. And he wants to move you from inauthenticity to authenticity. [00:42:59] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

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