When We Are Living a Lie

Some profess to know God but contradict that in how they live. What they say on Sunday and how they live does not match up. This gives ample reason to question the genuineness of their faith. - Clint Decker

Your spouse says they love you, but you find intimate text messages to another person. Your business partner says the company is extremely profitable and doing well, but you discover unapproved bank transfers going into an offshore account of theirs. Your church’s youth pastor says very biblical things and is an excellent youth leader, but you learn about his abusiveness toward his wife and children at home. (Image by pexels)

When someone says one thing, but does another, it can be a crushing discovery. The Bible speaks about this regarding a situation with some church leaders, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16)

This strong, but accurate statement, hits on a theme of the Bible. It springs from a problem in the human heart that causes one’s words and actions not to align with each other. This type of living is a lie. It is deceptive and manipulative, leading to a lack of personal trust and integrity. It is spiritually dangerous, potentially causing the damnation of one’s personal soul.

Jesus addressed this when He asked a rhetorical question to His listeners, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) In other word’s Jesus is asking, “Why do you say you believe in me, but do not obey my commands?” This was also dealt with hundreds of years before Jesus, as God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely…then come and stand before me…?” (Jeremiah 7:9-10)

It is a life of contradictions. On one hand, people profess to know God through their words or Christian activities but contradict that in how they live. What they say on Sunday and how they live the rest of the week does not match up. This gives ample reasons for someone to question the genuineness of their faith, and if they have truly been saved.

They say with confidence, “I pray”, “I believe”, or even “I have asked Jesus to forgive my sins.” Yet, their life is a walking illustration of a religious lie when sins like drunkenness, sexual immorality, anger, bitterness, profanity or others mark their life. How can this be? They may respond with, “No one is perfect.” Yes, but it is not a justification for continuing to do what one knows is wrong. In a situation like this, the person has become a “hypocrite”, otherwise known as, a religious actor. It is written, “Therefore you have no excuse, O man…” (Romans 2:1)

This is a widespread problem. Many have chosen to live this way because there is no cost to it. It is a vain attempt to have two kingdoms. God’s and theirs. It provides the benefits of religion where one can pray, believe in God, experience His blessings, or even enjoy worship and take the Lord’s Supper. And in return, they have created a false sense of peace and seared their conscience as they justify living however they choose.

Those who teach or believe this, are embracing a dangerous lie. For God strongly condemns this and will not be deceived or mocked. Jesus will one day say to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23)

To enter into God’s Kingdom, you must walk away from your kingdom, and into His. There might be relationships that need to end, places you need to stop going and habits that need to be broken. This is repentance and is costly when you turn from self and toward Jesus by faith.

If God were to examine your life, what would He see? Just empty religion or a life that is sold out to Christ?

A prayer for you – Lord God, examine my life. Help me to see what you see. If I have been living for two kingdoms, show me. From this day forward help me to live fully for Christ, the One who suffered, died and rose again that I might truly live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.