As a church minister since 1981, I have had the task of observing the lives of thousands of believers. Consequently, I have concluded that there are those in the Church who say they are Christians while at the same time espousing secular value systems.
By the word “secular”, I am referring to a person who embraces an attitude or a lifestyle that has no spiritual or biblical basis. This is slightly different from what we may identify as a carnal Christian (which in many ways has to do with the overt sins of the flesh and emotions (Corinthians 3:1-4)).
Secular Christianity is more subtle because its foundation is based on secular values. Such values are sugar-coated with spirituality and outward peace.
The following are TEN SIGNS you are a secular believer:
- You Make Major Decisions Without First Determining God’s Will.
Many believers are functional atheists because they make major decisions regarding marriage, moving to another region, changing jobs, or changing churches without hearing from God, getting input from spiritual leadership, and searching the scriptures.
They make plans, then ask God to bless them. - You Care More About What Others Think Than About What God Thinks About You.
In this “selfie” secular age, appearance, status, and popularity with friends are sometimes pursued more than the pursuit of understanding the fear of the Lord (which is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 9:10)). When we care more about what people think of us than respecting the ways of God, then we are secular. - You Are Led By Money Not By The Holy Spirit.
Whenever you prioritize money over God’s will, you are secular. Some believers work many long hours for non-essentials and rarely have time to participate in a faith community. Jesus said if we seek first His Kingdom, then all the other things we seek will be given to us (Matthew 6:33). - You Attend Church Services Primarily To Socialize.
A secular Christian’s primary motivation to attend church services is to meet their friends or find a potential date or mate. A biblical Christ follower’s primary motivation should be to meet God in the context of communing with the saints and hearing what the Spirit is saying to the Church (Revelation 2:7). - You Mimic The Values Of Popular Culture.
Secular Christians espouse the world’s values when it comes to dating, pre-marital sex, dress, secular music, language, ect. This reminds me of the old adage, “If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck!” Consequently, if you internally celebrate the world’s value system, then you are a secular believer. - God Is Merely Part Of Your Life.
True Christ followers do not merely make God a part of their life, Christ is their life (Colossians 3: 1-4). - You Don’t Have A Lifestyle Of Seeking God.
Secular believers may say a quick prayer here and there to bless their (secular) lifestyle, but they do not consistently seek God’s face in prayer and fail to pour over the scriptures (Hebrews 11:6). - Your Life Does Not Impact Others For The Gospel.
Secular believers do not have a burden to win others to Christ. Many have never even attempted to share the gospel. The reason is that they are so consumed with this world that they do not have a sense of eternity. Furthermore, many unsaved co-workers cannot tell the difference between a secular believer and an unbeliever. - You Are Not Making Disciples.
Many people in the Body of Christ today have been saved for many years and have not invested their life in making even one disciple. Secular believers are indifferent regarding the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Also, just because a person has a religious title of bishop, apostle, pastor, or elder does not mean they are a disciple-maker. - You Do Not Practice Biblical Financial Stewardship.
Sadly, many in the body of Christ do not believe that their money belongs to God (Psalms 24:1, Psalms 50:10). They live as if they are the ones in charge of their life and money. Even those who tithe (give 10 percent of their income) should understand that God claims ownership of one hundred percent of their money, not just ten percent. When you spend your money as if it were your own, you are not practicing biblical stewardship. You are acting like a secular believer more than a Christ-follower.
May the Holy Spirit convict us to surrender our all to Jesus so that we reflect Him in our life so others can see. Amen.
Leave a Comment: