#struggles: Part 3 - "Authenticity" with Craig Groeschel - LifeChurch.tv

Removing the Veil: Authenticity in a Selfie-Centered World

Scripture References

Primary text

• 2 Corinthians 3
• 2 Corinthians 3:6

Other references

• Exodus 34
• 2 Corinthians 4:4

Overview

Selfies, filters, and edited captions train us to show a curated self while hiding our true condition. Craig Groeschel contrasts that cultural habit with Paul’s picture of Moses’ veil in 2 Corinthians 3. As Moses covered a fading glory, we cover our insecurities and sins. Only when we turn to Christ does He lift the veil, give real freedom, and form us into His image. The call: move from selfie-centered living to Jesus-centered authenticity.

Main Points

Our Filtered Culture

• From school picture-day dread to today’s 170 million monthly #selfie posts.
• Filters let us erase red-eye, blemishes, even double chins—presenting only the “me” we want others to see.

• Illustration: At the gym a shirtless 22-year-old repeatedly flexes and snaps selfies for over six minutes while onlookers (including the inevitable “old naked guy” in every locker room) watch.

• “The more filtered our lives become, the more difficult it is to be authentic.”

The Fear of Unfiltered Communication

• Technology enables control: send calls to voicemail, script a text reply, even write a pizza-ordering script.
• A rising generation is uneasy in any conversation it cannot edit.
• Online personas often differ dramatically from real life, heightening relational anxiety.

Moses’ Veil and Our Modern Masks (2 Corinthians 3; Exodus 34)

• Moses’ face glowed after meeting God but the glory faded; he veiled himself so Israel wouldn’t see the fading.
• Paul uses that story: unbelieving hearts still carry a veil that only Christ removes.
• Parallel: our filters hide fading passion, secret sin, or insecurity.

The Veil’s Damage: From Face to Heart

“A veil that first covers the face eventually covers the heart.”

• What begins as superficial image-management becomes a spiritual condition of hiding.
• We live for likes yet long for love, impressing people with strengths while never connecting through weaknesses.

Only Christ Removes the Veil

• “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Corinthians 3 — spoken emphasis)
• Turning brings:
  • Freedom – “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
  • Identity – approval comes from God, not followers.
  • Transformation – we are “being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory.”

Living with Unveiled Faces

• Authenticity is not oversharing every detail online; it is living honestly before God and trusted people face-to-face.

• Story: Craig’s lifelong embarrassment about his “caveman feet” ended when he finally bought sandals—small picture of the freedom Christ offers.

• Practical checks: Am I wearing a veil as “spiritual guy,” “with-it mom,” “good dad,” or “protein-shake fitness hero”?
• Real community forms when we risk vulnerability; we connect through weaknesses, not polish.

Key Truths

• Filters and edited captions train us to hide, not heal.
• Image-management can become spiritual bondage.
• A hidden life cannot receive or give authentic love.
• Christ alone lifts the veil and anchors identity in God’s approval.
• Freedom grows where the Spirit is allowed full, unveiled access.

Response

• Turn to the Lord today and ask Him to remove every mask.
• Confess hidden sin or insecurity to God and a trusted believer.
• Limit the urge to curate; post (or speak) only what is true and helpful.
• Pursue face-to-face conversations that you cannot script.
• Celebrate weaknesses as entry points for real connection and God’s glory.

Closing

Craig urged listeners to stop living for the next “like” and start living from God’s love. When we surrender to Jesus, He removes the veil, grants freedom, and reshapes us into His image.

“We are no longer living for the approval of people but from the approval of God.”

Prayer

Craig prayed that God would break bondage to image-management, remove every veil, and fill believers with the Spirit’s freedom so they can be fully known and fully loved in Christ.