One thing that seems to be precious to the Lord is authenticity.
We see this woven throughout Scripture: the questions of the curious weren’t ignored, the young and naive were welcomed, and those who confessed their true condition without pretense were commended. In contrast, those who chose appearances over truthfulness often received God’s sharpest rebukes. Living in opposition to authenticity is living in opposition to the ways of God.
Jesus illustrates this in Matthew 23:27 when He denounces the Pharisees, calling them whitewashed tombs—those who put on an image of holiness but were inwardly contaminated with decay, selfishness, and self-righteousness.
In Acts 5, Annanias and Sapphira claimed to have sold their property and given all the proceeds to the early church, though they secretly kept some back for themselves. Both were judged by the Holy Spirit and died before Peter. They could have simply been honest about what they were giving and avoided bearing false witness in an attempt to gain notoriety.
Jesus also warns against divided loyalty and double-mindedness. He makes it clear that no one can serve two masters because we can never truly be dedicated to either. We try to please too many people, putting on a front of how we want to be perceived instead of living as who we actually are. In doing so, we reveal our improper or even non-existent fear of God. We save our fear for men, worrying about their opinions, their perspectives, and the words they may say about us.
Paul echos this sentiment in Galatians 1:10, writing, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” A false gospel was being spread, one that may have been more appetizing to the flesh, but Paul spoke plainly: if anyone teaches contrary to the teachings of Jesus, “let them be under God’s curse!” Lies and deceit for the sake of man’s approval are disciplined and not tolerated from those who follow the ways of the Lord.
Being who God created us to be—unhurried, embracing humility, and living in community—is a life of freedom. It’s a fertile ground for sanctification, restoration, and discipleship. It doesn’t require people to be anything other than themselves—their messy, real, and complicated selves.
This deeply challenges what is ingrained in Western culture. Even beneath the messages of “be yourself” lie the expectations to conform to the world’s ways of existing. It promises false authenticity without true freedom. But real renewal and wholeness are found in the work of the Holy Spirit.
At the end of the day, our humanity doesn’t frighten our Creator. He welcomes our whole being, for that’s the place where life begins: in Him.
“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18