In this candid roundtable, Todd, Laura, and Kelly pull the veneer off “performative Christianity” and ask a simple question: what’s the heart behind our behavior? Starting with a real-world parenting scenario, the crew explores why punishing surface behaviors often backfires when the root (the heart) is ignored.
Laura contrasts “obedience vs. sacrifice” from 1 Samuel 15:22, connecting it to modern struggles like pornography—arguing that God is first after what’s broken inside us more than quick behavior fixes. Todd walks through the biblical idea of the heart (OT lev; NT kardia) as the control center of intention and loyalty—not just emotions—and pushes for discernment that values truth over optics. Kelly challenges church culture’s pressure to project perfection, making the case for wholeness over double-mindedness and authenticity over Christian-ese.
If you’re weary of greeting-card faith and want a grounded, Scriptural path toward integrity—from the inside out—this episode is for you.
Highlights
Why surface “punish/fix” approaches miss the mark
The Bible’s definition of “heart” (lev/kardia) and why it matters
Authenticity vs. appearance: resisting church-culture perfectionism
Discernment 101: caring about truth without performative showiness
How the gospel forms one whole person (not church-you vs. home-you)
References
Scripture
1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 – Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might.
James 1:8 – The danger of double-mindedness.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – New creation in Christ.
Ezekiel 36:26 – God gives a new heart and new spirit.
People / Works Mentioned
Tim Keller (sermon reference on the heart and behavior)
