The Integrity of the Incredible Family
Authenticity – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 23:1-12

Key Verse:  Matthew 23:3

So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Jesus’ description of the Pharisees (the spiritual leaders of Judaism) should be a warning to us all: “Everything they do is done for men to see” (Matthew 23:5).  Will you join me today in doing an honest evaluation of our motives?  Living authentically means being very careful about inner motives.  Why do you do the many good things you do?

            This is what I’ve discovered about our human nature:  it’s rare to have a single motive in our behaviors.  In other words, as I do a gut check on my motives I realize there are several motives attached to most of my behaviors.  I would like to believe that I preach God’s Word with a singular motive of pleasing God, but I know that in the shadows lurk other motives, such as hoping people enjoy my messages.  To deal with these other less admirable motives I tell God that I will preach the message He has given me whether people like it or not; and try to mean it as much as I know myself.

            When you identify motives that may not be Christ like, confess them to God.  Determine to actually live by the higher motives taught in God’s Word; being authentic demands honesty about all your motives.  God knows all the motives of our hearts so there is no use pretending they are not there!  Live authentically!

Father, I ask for your Holy Spirit to check my spirit when I start to play act.  Help me to live authentically for you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.