04/10/2026
TODAY MASSAGE: A GENUINE HEART
Text: Titus 1:15–16
> “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him…”
INTRODUCTION
One of the most dangerous things about life is that people can see our appearance, but they cannot see our heart.
You can smile at somebody while carrying bitterness inside.
You can say, “I love you,” while your heart is full of hatred.
You can come to church, lift your hands, sing praises, and still have an ungenuine heart.
Only God truly knows the heart of a person.
People may judge us by what they see, but God looks deeper.
1 Samuel 16:7 says:
> “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
The question today is not simply, “Do I look like a Christian?”
The question is:
“Is my heart genuinely committed to Christ?”
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1. A GENUINE HEART IS KNOWN BY ITS CHARACTER
Titus 1:16 says:
> “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.”
This means that our confession can say one thing while our character says another.
We can say, “I am a Christian,” but our behavior can deny Christ.
Our character should prove that we are Christians.
If you are truly a Christian, it should show in:
- Your marriage
- Your family
- Your business
- Your finances
- Your speech
- Your relationships
- Your workplace
- Your dealings with people
- Your private life
- Your public life
Christianity should not only be what we say in church.
Christianity should be seen in the way we live.
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2. A GENUINE HEART IS TRUTHFUL
There are people who can lie anywhere—even in church.
They can lie in business.
They can lie in marriage.
They can lie to friends.
They can lie to their family.
And sometimes they can even lie while claiming to be serving God.
But a genuine heart loves truth.
Ask yourself:
When I tell somebody, “I love you,” is it really coming from my heart?
When I say, “I forgive you,” have I really forgiven?
When I say, “I am happy for you,” am I truly happy, or am I secretly jealous?
When I say, “God bless you,” do I genuinely mean it?
God is not only listening to our words. God knows the heart behind the words.
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3. DON'T DESTROY SOMEONE FOR SELFISH INTEREST
We must be careful about destroying people's names, relationships, opportunities, or reputations because of selfish interests.
Before you fight against someone, look at the whole story of that person's life.
Ask yourself:
Has this person ever done good?
Don't allow one mistake to make you forget every good thing a person has done.
Sometimes we judge people based on one chapter while God is still writing their story.
If somebody has made a mistake, correction may be necessary—but correction is different from destruction.
Don't destroy somebody simply because you want to promote yourself.
Don't destroy someone's reputation because you are jealous.
Don't destroy someone's opportunity because you want theirs.
Don't destroy someone's marriage because of personal interest.
Don't destroy someone's ministry because you feel threatened.
A genuine heart does not rejoice when another person falls.
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4. SOME PEOPLE HAVE A DAMAGED CONSCIENCE
Titus tells us about people whose minds and consciences have become corrupted.
There are people who can do evil and sleep peacefully.
They can hurt people and feel nothing.
They can destroy families and continue as if nothing happened.
They can deceive people and have no regret.
Some people even do things that they know could bring consequences upon their own children, yet they don't care.
This is why we must guard our conscience.
A conscience that has been repeatedly ignored can become insensitive.
Every time your conscience warns you and you deliberately silence it, you are training yourself not to listen.
But we should desire a clean heart before God.
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5. WHEN YOUR CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR, YOU DON'T LIVE IN FEAR OF FALSE ACCUSATIONS
When your heart is genuine and your conscience is clear, you don't have to live your life trying to answer every accusation.
People may misunderstand you.
People may speak against you.
People may tell stories about you.
But when you know that you have acted honestly before God, you can stand with peace.
This does not mean that Christians will never make mistakes.
It means that when we make mistakes, we have the humility to acknowledge them, repent, and make things right.
A genuine heart does not say, “I can never be wrong.”
A genuine heart says:
“If I am wrong, God, help me to change.”
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6. ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE?
This is where we must examine ourselves.
Are you a Christian in church but different in business?
Are you a Christian in church but different in marriage?
Are you a Christian when people are watching but different when nobody is watching?
Are you a Christian with your money?
Are you a Christian in your character?
Are you a Christian in your relationship with your neighbors?
Are you a Christian when somebody offends you?
Are you a Christian when somebody succeeds more than you?
Are you a Christian when you have the opportunity to cheat?
Christianity must cover every area of our lives.
We cannot choose the areas where we want Christ to be Lord.
Jesus must be Lord of our heart, marriage, money, business, character, relationships, and decisions.
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7. IF WE ARE TRULY CHRISTIANS, OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD FEEL IT
Imagine a community where Christians are known for honesty.
Imagine Christians who don't cheat people in business.
Christians who keep their promises.
Christians who love their neighbors.
Christians who help the needy.
Christians who forgive.
Christians who don't destroy people's names.
Christians who refuse to participate in corruption.
Christians whose marriages demonstrate faithfulness.
Wouldn't that community become better?
If Christianity is genuine, it should have an impact on the environment around us.
Our neighbors should be able to say:
“There is something different about this person.”
Not because we are perfect, but because Christ is changing us.
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8. REPRESENT CHRIST WITH YOUR CHARACTER
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:
> “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
You may be the only Bible some people around you will ever read.
People are watching your life.
They are watching how you respond to pressure.
They are watching how you treat your spouse.
They are watching how you conduct your business.
They are watching how you treat people who cannot help you.
They are watching how you behave when you are angry.
Your character is preaching even when your mouth is silent.
Let your life represent Christ.
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POWERFUL ILLUSTRATION: THE MIRROR
Imagine standing before a mirror.
The mirror does not tell you what you want to hear. It shows you what is actually there.
God's Word is like that mirror.
It shows us what is inside us.
Sometimes we don't need to point at somebody else.
Sometimes we need to look at ourselves and ask:
“Lord, what is inside my heart?”
Is there jealousy?
Is there hatred?
Is there unforgiveness?
Is there dishonesty?
Is there pride?
Is there selfishness?
Is there hypocrisy?
Or is there genuine love?
The greatest question is not:
“What is wrong with them?”
The greatest question is:
“Lord, what needs to change in me?”
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PRACTICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Before you leave this message, ask yourself:
1. Is my love genuine?
2. Is my forgiveness genuine?
3. Is my Christianity genuine?
4. Am I honest in my business?
5. Am I faithful in my marriage?
6. Am I truthful with my words?
7. Do I treat people well when they cannot benefit me?
8. Do I rejoice when others succeed?
9. Can my conscience stand before God?
10. Does my character represent Christ?
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CONCLUSION
A genuine heart is not a perfect heart.
A genuine heart is a heart that is honest before God, willing to repent, willing to forgive, willing to love, and willing to change.
Let us stop being Christians only by name.
Let us be Christians in our homes.
Christians in our marriages.
Christians in our businesses.
Christians with our money.
Christians in our communities.
Christians in our relationships.
Christians when nobody is watching.
Let our character prove our confession.
Love your neighbors.
Forgive those who have hurt you.
Be kind.
Speak the truth.
Don't destroy people for selfish interests.
Don't rejoice when others fall.
Don't pretend to love people while secretly wishing them evil.
And above all, let Christ be seen in your heart.
MAY GOD GIVE YOU A GENUINE HEART IN JESUS CHRIST NAME AMEN.
