A Generation Between: The Xennial Pursuit of Christනියැදිය

Day One: Authenticity

We Xennials grew up in a world where appearances often mattered more than reality. In our younger years, we watched as churches leaned heavily into polished programming, youth group hype, and “family values” campaigns that sometimes masked hidden struggles at home. Later, as adults, we saw the rise of social media, where people carefully curated images of their lives to look happier, wealthier, or more spiritual than they actually were. In a very real sense, we were trained to manage impressions – to look like we had it all together even when we didn’t. That’s why authenticity resonates so deeply with Xennials. More so than perhaps any other generation, we are tired of pretending.

The world has often defined authenticity in ways that don’t line up with Scripture. In our heyday, “being real” for Xennials meant not hiding our flaws, even to the point of celebrating rebellion as honesty. Today, authenticity is often reduced to “living your truth,” as if sincerity alone makes something right. Biblical authenticity, however, goes deeper. It’s not just unfiltered expression or brutal honesty. Biblical authenticity means living openly before God and others with integrity; it is allowing His truth – not our feelings – to define who we really are. Jesus didn’t tell us to “be ourselves” in the cultural sense; He told us to deny ourselves and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). It’s a harder road, but the only path to a truly whole self.

Scripture describes the kind of authenticity God desires. David acknowledged that God delights in truth “in the inward being” (Ps. 51:6). Jesus warned against putting on outward appearances of holiness while our hearts remain unchanged (Matt. 23:27-28). Paul reminded us that our weaknesses are not something to hide but places where Christ’s power is made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9-10). True authenticity means no masks, no performances – just a life honestly surrendered to God, trusting His grace to shape us into people who reflect Christ more than culture.

Reflection: How can you model a kind of authenticity that goes beyond just “being real” and instead points others to the transforming work of Christ in your life?