Often, when I meet with someone I don’t know, I ask them the question “Who are you?” It’s interesting to see their responses as they try to think of how to respond!
I’m not doing this as a game. I want to know, really, who they are. I’m open to listening to however much they want to reveal about themself.
Are they, e.g., an “authentic” person. The word “authentic” comes from the Greek word “autos,” which means “self.” We use it in the old word “auto-mobile,” which means, literally, “self-driven.” “Authentic” connotes “real.” Are you authentic? Are you a real person?
The biblical opposite of an authentic person is a “hypocrite.” This Greek word was used to refer to actresses and actors. You could translate “hypocrite” as “someone who wears an actor’s mask.” Hypocrisy has nothing to do with imperfection. We’re all imperfect. Hypocrisy has to do with not being authentic, not being real, like being an abuser in your own home but wearing a mask of politeness out in public.
Hypocrisy in parents produces anger and bitterness and cynicism in children. Authenticity engenders endearment. Hypocrisy is the creation of an illusion about one’s self; authenticity owns one’s self and lives it out before others, especially those who are closest to you. Hypocrisy is acting, authenticity is freedom. Which means it takes a lot of energy to live hypocritically.
When Jesus says “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” part of the freedom includes taking off the heavy mask of one’s false self and letting Christ shine through the real you. You and I are not perfect, but we can be truthful, loving, and real.
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