I preach in blue jeans.

Not because I’m trying to be edgy or because I’m trying to be relatable. And not because I think denim is somehow more spiritual than a suit. I preach in blue jeans because I’m not interested in dressing up Christianity to make it look more powerful than it already is.

The Gospel doesn’t need help.

It doesn’t need religious costumes, shiny titles, or spiritual “bling” to work. Jesus didn’t walk around trying to look impressive. The disciples didn’t build authority by looking expensive. The early church didn’t spread because their leaders had the right image. It spread because Christ was preached, sinners were convicted, and lives were changed.

Somewhere along the way, a lot of modern church culture started confusing appearance with authority. And that’s dangerous, because you can look like a shepherd and still be a wolf.

Jesus warned us about this in Matthew 7:15 when He said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” That means deception often shows up looking safe. It shows up looking spiritual. It shows up looking polished. It shows up looking like it belongs behind a pulpit.

That’s why discernment matters.

Because if you can be fooled by the packaging, you can be fooled by the message.

Jesus also called out the religious show in Matthew 23:5 when He said the Pharisees did what they did “to be seen by others.” That was their whole game. They weren’t trying to honor God. They were trying to look like the kind of people who honor God. They were addicted to being noticed, being respected, being called important, being treated like they mattered more than everyone else.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t a sermon against suits.

A man can wear a suit and still be humble. A man can wear blue jeans and still be full of pride. Clothing doesn’t prove holiness. Clothing doesn’t prove calling. Clothing doesn’t prove anything. What matters is the heart behind it. Is the goal reverence, or is it ego? Is the goal to honor God, or is it to build an image?

Because sometimes the outfit isn’t just an outfit. Sometimes it’s part of the performance.

And that’s where the danger comes in.

The Bible tells us what real leadership looks like, and it’s not about appearance. It’s about fruit. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example…” He didn’t say, “Make sure you look the part.” He said, “Be the example.” Faith. Conduct. Love. Purity. That’s what gives a man credibility in the Kingdom of God.

Not a collar, a robe or a title. Not a stage voice or a gold-trimmed Bible that matches the gold-trimmed pulpit.

Fruit.

Because real ministry isn’t proven by how a preacher looks when he stands up. It’s proven by who he is when nobody is clapping. It’s proven by what he preaches when it costs him something. It’s proven by whether he’ll still tell the truth when people get uncomfortable.

That’s why I don’t get caught up in being treated like some kind of spiritual celebrity.

And I’ll go a step further — I don’t even care for “Pastor Appreciation Day”… or whatever we’re calling it now.

I’m not saying appreciation is wrong. I’m human. I appreciate appreciation. If someone says “thank you,” I’m grateful. If someone encourages me, it means something. But I don’t need it. I didn’t answer God’s call for applause. I didn’t step into ministry because I needed attention. I stepped into it because God’s Word is true, people are hurting, and eternity is real.

If a pastor needs constant recognition to stay faithful, he’s not being fueled by the Spirit — he’s being fueled by ego. And when ego becomes the fuel, the ministry turns into a performance. That’s when preaching becomes entertainment. That’s when conviction gets replaced with motivation. That’s when the pulpit becomes a stage.

And the scary part is, you can build something big like that.

You can build a crowd. You can build a brand. You can build a following. You can build a whole empire. But you might not be building the church the way Jesus meant it.

Because the real church is built by truth, not hype.

The Word of God doesn’t require stage lights to be effective. Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. God’s Word convicts. God’s Word exposes. God’s Word changes people.

A suit can’t do that. Blue jeans can’t do that. A microphone can’t do that. God’s Word does that.

So if you want to know whether a man is from God, don’t start by studying his outfit. Start by studying his doctrine.

Does he preach repentance? Does he preach holiness? Does he preach the cross? Does he call sin what God calls sin? Does he preach grace the way Scripture actually teaches grace? Does he preach Jesus as Lord, or does he preach Jesus like a product? Because wolves aren’t always obvious. Sometimes they’re the best dressed person in the room.

Jesus said you’ll know them by their fruits in Matthew 7:16. Not by their clothing or charisma. Not by their followers or by their image. By their fruit. And if the fruit isn’t there, I don’t care how “holy” the costume looks.

So I’ll keep preaching in blue jeans. Not because I’m casual about God, but because I’m serious about truth. And I’d rather be a plain man with a real message than a polished man selling religion.

If you want to honor your pastor, you don’t have to buy him a plaque or throw him a party. The best appreciation you can give is this: love Jesus, obey the Word, walk in holiness, and keep your eyes open. Because in the end, it won’t matter how impressive the preacher looked. It will matter whether he preached the truth.