{"id":31460,"date":"2022-09-10T15:31:17","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-differences-between-fake-authenticity-and-the-real-thing\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:31:17","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:31:17","slug":"5-differences-between-fake-authenticity-and-the-real-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-differences-between-fake-authenticity-and-the-real-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Differences Between Fake Authenticity and the Real Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"
Emir Saldierna photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

By Barnabas Piper <\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019m loath to even make an attempt at redeeming or defining the word \u201cauthenticity.\u201d It\u2019s a buzzword that\u2019s been used and abused to the point of relative meaninglessness.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s a word that matters and that is worth using well. By definition, it is a word that reflects truth and genuineness\u2014things we need<\/em> as followers of Christ.<\/p>\n

These days we see \u201cauthenticity\u201d used prevalently as an excuse to express opinions or feelings with any choice of language, regardless of time or place or audience. \u201cAuthenticity\u201d is used to build personal brands for social media influencers.<\/p>\n

But authenticity used in either of these ways is decidedly in<\/em>authentic; rather it is a defense mechanism or a curated presentation of one\u2019s self.<\/p>\n

In a small group context these faux versions of authenticity are detrimental at best.<\/p>\n

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They hinder relationships. They suppress honesty. They dominate a conversation so those who really need help and a listening ear aren\u2019t heard.<\/p>\n

Ultimately they distance people from one another instead of doing what honest<\/em> authenticity does, drawing people into real relationships before Christ.<\/p>\n

Here are five differences between genuine and fake authenticity.<\/p>\n

1. Fake authenticity seeks to be known of. Genuine authenticity risks being known.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Are you sharing to present an image or to be honest about what is really going in your heart or life? Are you curating openness so people feel pity for you or are you admitting you need help?<\/p>\n

They often sound the same, and it\u2019s the motive that is the difference. The biggest difference is the vulnerability and risk each is willing to take.<\/p>\n

Fake authenticity may sound like it is taking risks, but they are calculated, avoiding the costliest admissions of failure and need.<\/p>\n

Genuine authenticity is willing to put all the hard, ugly things in the pen for the sake of being truly know, loved, and helped.<\/p>\n

2. Fake authenticity burdens others. Genuine authenticity shares burdens.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One version of authenticity only thinks of offloading burdens, getting things off its chest, and venting.<\/p>\n

It takes burdens and places them directly on others but never shoulders their burdens. It is honest in what it says, but not humble and caring toward others.<\/p>\n

Genuine authenticity stems from a humble heart that considers others and recognizes burdens must be shared.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an exchange of honest help and depending on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and strength.<\/p>\n

3. Fake authenticity is defensive. Genuine authenticity is open to counsel and correction.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The version of authenticity that\u2019s become prevalent is one that announces its opinions and feelings with impunity and acts as if they are right simply because they are spoken.<\/p>\n

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It may offer a window into the sharer\u2019s soul, but it\u2019s a locked window to keep everyone out.<\/p>\n

It gets defensive when people get too close with follow-up, prayer, and especially <\/em>advice or correction. It wants to be heard, but not changed.<\/p>\n

Genuine authenticity shares for the very purpose of hearing from God\u2019s people. It recognizes a need for direction and prayer.  <\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Fake authenticity doesn\u2019t care about offending. Genuine authenticity considers others\u2019 feelings and well-being.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cNo offense, but. . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c. . . but that\u2019s just my opinion\u201d<\/p>\n

Fake authenticity leans heavily on phrases like this in order to speak \u201chonestly\u201d while also taking liberty to be a jerk.<\/p>\n

The words may be true, but the heart behind them is hard and inconsiderate.<\/p>\n

It speaks hard truths in hard ways with little thought as to who is listening or how it will be received. Genuine authenticity speaks the truth with love.<\/p>\n

It considers how words will land on listeners\u2019 hearts. It\u2019s authentic in its kindness and consideration, not just its opinions and declarations.<\/p>\n

5. Fake authenticity disregards others\u2019 privacy. Genuine authenticity protects others\u2019 stories and privacy. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many times other people play a key, but negative, role in the stories we share. How we discuss them is a significant indicator of whether our authenticity is real or fake.<\/p>\n

A willingness to be \u201cauthentic\u201d about other people\u2019s failures and sins is a clear sign of fakeness.<\/p>\n

We use it to make ourselves look better and to tilt others\u2019 impression in our favor. And we\u2019re hurting others as we do it.<\/p>\n

Genuine authenticity speaks the truth without gossip or slander. It doesn\u2019t make us look better than we are or shift blame. And it\u2019s willing to love in a way that \u201ccovers a multitude of sins.\u201d<\/p>\n

BARNABAS PIPER (@BarnabasPiper)<\/strong> is a speaker, podcaster, and the author of several books, including<\/em> The Pastor\u2019s Kid, The Curious Christian, and<\/em> Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt Is Not the Enemy of Faith\u2014which now has a small group study companion. He currently serves on staff at Immanuel Nashville as director of community. <\/em><\/p>\n

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Dig Deeper at Lifeway.com<\/div>\n
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Be Authentic: Exhibiting Real Faith in the Real World<\/h2>\n

Warren W. Wiersbe<\/p>\n

FIND OUT MORE <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Emir Saldierna photo – Unsplash By Barnabas Piper I\u2019m loath to even make an attempt at redeeming or defining the word \u201cauthenticity.\u201d It\u2019s a buzzword that\u2019s been used and abused to the point of relative meaninglessness. But it\u2019s a word that matters and that is worth using well. By definition, it is a word that … Continue reading “5 Differences Between Fake Authenticity and the Real Thing”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31460"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31460\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}