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Why Authentic Preaching Could Be a Trap

Why Authentic Preaching Could Be A Trap

By Maurilio Amorim on Dec 3, 2025

MaurilioAmorim.com

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Authenticity blesses the church, but permissive confession erodes repentance. True vulnerability must lead to real change, not sympathy without transformation.

Scripture: James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 51:10-12, 1 John 1:8-9 (view more) (view less)

Tags: Integrity

Why Authentic Preaching Could Be a Trap

Christian communication has shifted from the distant, polished preacher to the transparent, self-disclosing leader. That shift has brought benefits: listeners feel seen, leaders seem human, and the gospel appears accessible. But the rise of “authenticity” has also created a subtle danger. Many now use public vulnerability not to repent or make amends but to gain sympathy and avoid accountability. Confession becomes performance. Transparency becomes permission. As preachers and leaders, we must guard against this drift. Authenticity is only faithful when it leads to repentance, change, and restitution, not applause for unaltered behavior.

Authenticity Is a Gift—Until It Isn’t

With that said, authenticity is the new oratory device of the day for Christians. Self-disclosure and complete openness have never been so popular among evangelicals. The days of leaders who spoke from a strong tower of knowledge, holiness, and utter discipline seem to be numbered. Over the past decade, I have seen a communication shift that takes speakers and authors from a place of strength and knowledge alone and puts them in a more honest, imperfectly human dialogue context with their audience.

I have personally enjoyed this shift. It resonates with my fallen nature and helps me to know that even those whom I admire struggle like I do. Lately, I have been concerned with the inevitable abuse of the authenticity device. As the pendulum swings from the bully pulpit of years past into the self-disclosing conversational approach of our social-media rich environment, it continues past center into what I call the “permissive confession.”

Permissive Confession Undermines Repentance

In short, this type of confession is not designed to right wrongs or to make amends. It’s often used to find sympathy and grace from your audience without having to do the hard work of repenting, changing your ways, and paying retribution. The “I have made a mess of things” disclosure without a change in behavior is the permissive confession that elicits support for the unrepentant.

I need grace and forgiveness more than most. I truly do. But I hope we are not creating a culture that encourages people to be authentic about their sins but excuses them from doing the hard work of making things right. After all, shouldn’t we expect our friends and leaders to change the very thinking and actions that landed them in such a mess to begin with?

Editor's Note: Do you think we're sharing too much personal information in the pulpit today? How do you stay authentic in preaching without crossing the line into permissive confession?

Scriptures: 1 John 1:8-9, 2 Corinthians 7:10, James 5:16, Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 51:10-12