Are You Sincere?

“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.” - Matthew 5:37 
 
 
When you hear the word “sincere,” what do you think of? Who do you think of? The Bible talks about Timothy having a “sincere faith.” It was actually Paul who said this, as Timothy’s faith reminded Paul of Timothy’s mother and grandmother. 
 
See, the Apostle Paul took three missionary trips to Asia Minor. On his second missionary journey, he met a young man named Timothy. But before He met Timothy, Paul met his mom and grandmother.  
 
God used this encounter in Timothy’s favor, as he would eventually be chosen and appointed by the Apostle Paul to be the pastor of a church in Ephesus, one of the biggest churches in Asia Minor.  
 
Paul believed in Timothy, but before he really knew Timothy, he knew his mom and his grandmother, and that is where this word “sincere” comes from in terms of describing Timothy to be like the two women in his life. The definition of that word means to be without pretense. It means to be genuine, not hypocritical.  
 
Jesus was genuine. And if we want to be like Him, we should be sincere! Matthew 5:37 says, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.”  
 
When it comes to doing God’s will, it not only matters WHAT you do, but it also matters HOW you do it. What are your motives behind why you serve those around you? Because you genuinely love them, or because you hope for something in return?  
 
Are you sincere in your actions? In your words? In your intentions? God is looking for people to further His Kingdom. But He is looking for those who are sincere, those who are doing it for His purposes and not their own.