DISCOVERING AUTHENTICITY
- Sarah Powers
- Aug 14, 2019
- 2 min read
Authenticy; a word that gets thrown around a lot, and still it seems that most people don't understand or grasps what it truly means. Everyone longs for authenticity in some way or another. We long to be truly known and understood by others. We long for others to see our true selves. We long to be ourselves and to be truly loved.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AUTHENTIC? When you look up the word authentic these words are mentioned - genuine, real, true, original and honest.
Being authentic means being real, when it's easy to be and more importantly when it's hard.
It means that we no longer hide behind a false identity - the one that wants us to believe all of Satan's lies. As a Christian being authentic means so much more then just being real or honest, it means being a true representation of who you are as a child of Jesus.
WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT BEING AUTHENTIC
Jesus has a lot to say about being real.
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." Matthew 7:15-18 NIV
One passage of scripture that really sums up the idea of having a authentic identity in Jesus is Ephesians 4:22-24.
"Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by it's deceitful desires; be made new in the attitudes of your minds; and to put on the new self, which is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." What freedom we can find in that! We don't have to live bondage of people pleasing, a fake identity, or fear rejection from others! Once we have accepted God's gift of salvation we have a new identity in Jesus and he will never fail us.
Our authenticity as Christians is letting down our walls and exposing our brokenness so that Christ's grace can replace it.
An authentic Christian is one that knows their value and worth belong in Jesus.
An authentic Christian denies the desires of their old self and replaces it with a changed identity in Christ.
An authentic Christian no longer hides in their brokenness of shame, but instead acknowledges their struggles and weaknesses.
An authentic Christian seeks Jesus for help and the accountability of others.
HOW DO WE BE AUTHENTIC?
1. Be real with your community
Have you ever known someone who is always "just fine?" Of course I am not saying to share your hearts deepest struggles with everyone you have a conversation with, but being honest in your relationships with the good and the bad, the brokenness, and the struggles can go a long way in building trust, accountability and honesty in your friendships.
2. Journal
Writing our own feelings, emotions, and struggles goes a long in helping to be real about who we are and what we struggle with.
3. Prayer
Never underestimate the power of prayer. Tell God the things that you struggle with and ask him to help you put on the new self as a child of Him.
...one of my favorite songs " Known " tells us how we are fully known and loved by Him. This is what your beautiful message reminds me of. Now, to just get the courage to be "authentic" with people so that we can be truly loved by those we share our lives with, that's the challenge. Thanks for starting the blog...I will follow :)