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If I only had a thousand days to live, I would spend more time with those who matter most to me. I would do things that make the most difference to me. And I would spend less time on distractions and busyness.

You know, even when I'm saying those words I begin to feel motivated. I've done a lot of reflecting on the power of authenticity. We live authentically when our external actions correspond accurately to our own internal values. And of course, someone who has evil desires is living authentically if their behaviour matches their evil desires.

On the other hand, the person of integrity: the more our internal values influence our behaviour, the more authentically we live and lead.

Now, there was a group of men who started with an exceptionally high mission. They were zealous, they devoted themselves to a lifestyle of virtue and helping others. At first, they were known for their remarkable goodness, kindness and trustworthiness. Over time however, their character morphed and their reputation faded. In time, they forgot the very reason they started.

What is the name of that group? Well, you may have heard of them: the Pharisees. The Pharisees lost their moral moorings, and they slowly drifted into corruption and self-deception. Today, most people only remember them for their corrupt practices. Sadly, the Pharisees became the opposite of what they intended to be. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Pharisaical means "marked by hypocritical, censorious and self-righteousness."

Before I get too harsh on this group, I want to admit, I also can be tempted, and have tendencies towards being pharisaical; so as much as possible, I try to resist the temptation of a Pharisee.

How did this group drift so far from their original purpose? The word hypocrite comes from the ancient theatre. The term applied to theatrical skills, not moral goodness. A hypocrite was an actor. In those days, actors would put on a mask and play a role. Maybe the actor came on stage and held up a comedy mask and recited humorous lines, and the crowd roared with laughter. Then the actor slipped off the stage and returned wearing a tragedy mask, and recited melancholy lines. And it moved the audience to tears.

It was all a show. Each mask defined the actor's behaviour. A good hypocrite embodied their mask. Now, that term has changed, and today the word hypocrite refers to someone who acts in a way that goes against what they claim to believe or feel.

Now, perhaps you've watched a movie and you've seen an actor portray a strong, loving parent, only to discover that, in life, that same person was facing charges for child abuse. Integrity ensures that the lifestyle of the person on and off the stage are the same.

Even when the Pharisees were confronted with the truth, they refused to address their hypocrisy. Instead of dealing with their moral drift, they protected their image. The community saw through their fake piety, which meant that the only people deceived by their pretense was themselves.

So how did the Pharisees drift so far away from their high standards? It happened slowly, but steadily. Like a ship without mooring ropes to hold it to a dock, the movement of life's tides drew them away. Pride tempted them to believe that they were superior and didn't need mooring ropes of self-examination or performance-monitoring. They believed they were better than most, and they were above the temptation to do evil.

But they were mistaken. Good men become bad men when their appetites are unrestrained.

Let's consider the Pharisees' drift. And as we do, let's remember that every person is susceptible to moral drift.

So, the Pharisees started with integrity, and slowly drifted, and ended up in corruption. They started by helping others, but they slowly ended up hurting others. They started providing homes, but they slowly ended up devouring homes. They started by protecting many, but they ended up destroying the lives of many. They were known for keeping their promises, but after a while, they broke so many promises. They set out to major on the priorities, but they ended up majoring on the minors. It's been said that you might be a Pharisee if you:

If you looked down on others, believing yourself to be superior; if you have double standards; if you can't accept people who disagree with you; if you are more concerned about outward appearances than inward realities; if you always want the credit; if you think you are more spiritual than others; and if you think this video only applies to others.