3 Dangers of Authenticity
Sometimes it seems like authenticity is seen as the highest form of good. It is as if one who is “authentic” is automatically trustworthy and honorable. Is that true?
Setting the Stage
Well, what is authenticity? Given our postmodern world, I’d argue that many who use this word have no idea what it means nor do they believe there is a need to provide a definition--”you just know what it means”, “you see authenticity when you see authenticity.”
Obviously, we need a working definition or else we’re discussing a topic with an elephant in the room. Authenticity is this: Being true to yourself. From my observations and understanding, being authentic = being true to yourself. Notice, however, “being true to yourself” is not truth in objective terms. Rather, it is subjective, individualistic, and relative to the person. Perhaps authenticity is the embodiment of postmodernism.
If this analysis is true, Christians should be highly cautious of authenticity as postmodern traits are largely antithetical to the faith. Nonetheless, here are 3 dangers of authenticity:
#1 Authenticity isn’t Inherently Good
Authenticity isn’t inherently good. Why? Because we are not inherently good. We are fallen. We fall short of God’s glory (cf. Rom 3:23). If I am not good, being true to myself wouldn’t necessarily be good as well. Doesn’t Jesus say, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness?” (Mk 7:21-23) If our hearts are unclean because of sin, being authentic doesn't seem to help.
The idea that “authenticity” is inherently good is a fallacious presupposition—begging the question, “Where does this idea come from?” Well, not Scripture. Probably new age or something. If you have some pushback against this, that's great! But let’s keep going and hopefully I’ll address them in the next points.
#2 Authenticity isn’t necessarily wise.
Hopefully we’ll all agree that sometimes, being authentic to our “hearts” (as a combination of our thoughts, desires, and emotions) and acting upon it is not always wise. If a person hates one’s boss and chooses to be “authentic”, lashing out with strong words (even if that person is right in the grand scheme of things), that may not be wise. He/she may end up being fired. Being authentic in that moment might feel amazing—I'll grant that.
There are so many instances in Scripture where God instructs us to not be authentic:
Proverbs 23:1-2 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.
This passage literally tells you to “kill your authenticity” despite facing a table of amazing food. Even Paul’s words, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God,” (1 Cor 10:31) the exhortation is directed at “God’s glory”--not “my glory” or “my good” or “my truth”.
Let’s look at one more passage:
Proverbs 19:11: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
I hate people being late (not that I’m always on time). If I were to point out, or make a fuss, about the other person being late every single time, would that build our relationship? Even James 1:19-20 instructs us to be “quick to hear” and “slow to speak”--even in the scenarios when we authentically believe we are totally justified to speak. (Certainly, there are times to speak and interrupt—but that is a wisdom issue and not an authenticity one)
God cares more about His people being wise, not authentic.
#3 Authenticity isn't always “Authentic”
What does it mean to be “true to yourself”? Perhaps we can establish a general consensus. If I hate mushrooms, being true to myself (my desires, thoughts, feelings) is to not eat a mushroom. That’s fine.
But when it comes to other specific issues, perhaps those with more stakes, can we confidently claim that we 100% (note this) know what we desire? Does not Scripture write, ”The heart is deceitful above all things?” (Jer 17:9) Does not Scripture write, “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe?” (Prov 28:26)
The danger of authenticity is self-deception. At one point you think you are authentic in one direction, and 30 minutes later, you are authentically leaning the other way. The fact that many people are constantly on a quest seeking “who am I?” should be a deterrent to authenticity. If I’m not 100% sure who I am...how can I be authentic?
Proverbs 18:7 writes, “The one who first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines.” This means you can authentically believe in two opposing and contradicting propositions—which is why legal dramas are so fun!
Allow me to present another scenario: There’s a man who doesn’t want to go church. For whatever reason, he ends up at church (his wife dragged him, he had a commitment etc.). He’s at church "inauthentically”. But by God’s grace, he has a deep encounter with the Lord during worship and begins to worship with all his heart. Suddenly, he’s “authentically” worshiping God. This encounter with the Lord also marks a revival in His soul—he begins to walk in obedience to Christ and all his peers are shocked. What’s my point? Authenticity, in this scenario, doesn’t matter. In fact, if you flip the scenario, my point is even stronger.
Closing Thoughts
Before I close, let me say this. I’d have no problem with “authenticity” if it were merely honesty, genuineness (as in, “let love be genuine”) and integrity—in which both of these qualities are biblical and objective. Unfortunately, authenticity, particularly as a lifestyle, seems to be honesty and integrity without objectivity—and that I cannot tolerate. I don’t think God tolerates that too.
Also, there may have been a desire for authenticity out of disdain towards “fakeness”. Sometimes people want to get to the deep end of things and have a heart-to-heart conversation (“genuineness”). Even so, we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15), in which love is also objective and based on truth as God is love (1 Jn 4:8). I just can't shake off the feeling that “authenticity”, at its core, is a result of postmodernism, highly emphasizing individualism, relativism, and pluralism—all of which are antithetical to the Christian worldview.
Don’t strive to be authentic. Strive to be Spirit-filled.
