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It is a basic human defense mechanism to hide our flaws and project the image of a perfect life. This week, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe explain that living a life of integrity as believers means allowing others to see us as we really are: flawed people redeemed by Christ.

Key Points from the Podcast

  • Our lack of authenticity started at the fall when we started lying to ourselves and God.

  • Authenticity starts with being honest about yourself with God and others. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t and don’t change who you are based on where you are or who you are with.

  • Godly authenticity is being honest about your best self, the person God is calling you to be, acknowledging that you’re not perfect but you’re progressing.

  • As Christians, we cannot live authentically if we put up walls to protect our self. We need trusted people with whom we can share our struggles and hurts.

  • Living inauthentically, hiding, and wearing masks can be lonely and exhausting.

  • If we learn to rest in God’s love and forgiveness, we won’t feel like we need to be someone we’re not but can be at peace with who we are in Christ as he continues his process of sanctification in our life.

Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast

1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:1–4; Genesis 3:9; James 5:16; Philippians 13:12–14; Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:15; Matthew 21:12–14; John 1:47; John 7:37–38; Matthew 11:28–30; Jeremiah 29:13; Luke 8:16

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

About John Bailey

Pastor John Bailey serves as the Chief Operating Officer at World Challenge. John came to know Christ in jail after some difficult struggles as a young man, and God has done a powerful work of transformation since! Spending 13 years in Next Gen ministry, he excelled in discipleship and helping young leaders discover giftings to serve God. John was called next to serve as a missionary and pastor in Western Europe. John and his family then returned to plant the Springs Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Today, the church is a thriving body of believers excelling in outreach and missions. John has now brought his giftings and vision to World Challenge, accelerating the spread of the gospel in America and around the World.

About Mark Renfroe

Mark married his college sweetheart, Amy, with whom he has four adult children—one girl and three boys. The Renfroes have been involved in field missions work for 30 years. They served in the Arab community of San Francisco for four years before becoming foreign missionaries in 1995. Mark was asked to serve as the Area Director for Assemblies of God World Missions in 2007. As part of his role, he led missionaries and interfaced with national church leaders in the 18 countries of the Arab World. In 2017, Mark created Reaching Africa’s Muslims, an initiative to mobilize, equip, and deploy indigenous African missionaries to reach Muslims on the continent. Mark has graduate degrees in Intercultural Studies and Executive Leadership. He currently serves as the Chief Missions Officer for World Challenge in Colorado Springs.