The Double Life

Jason lived a double life. The loving husband, awesome father, and active church member on Sunday was also a “con-man” (controller/manipulator) involved in porn, shady deals, and emotional and often sexual affairs—until one day, his secret sins were exposed in the Light, and his world came crashing down. We’ve all seen this play out in real life, and no doubt we will see it again. And it’s not only men we’re talking about.

“What you do in front of people is nothing if you are not living the same life at home behind closed doors” (Joyce Meyer).

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret” (John 18:20). There’s no double life here. Jesus’ words were the same in private as they were in public. Can we say the same about our words?

“Come near me and listen to this: From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret” (Is. 48:16).

“He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum” (John 6:59).

Do your words on Sunday morning reflect and confirm how you lived your life on Saturday evening? Do your spouse and children see right through you? Do they know the truth about you—that you are a very different person around other people than you are with your family?

Perhaps you’re not where Jason is today, but know this: Sin is progressive. It’s also exhausting living a double life. Don’t gamble with your eternal soul. Sooner or later, the truth will be revealed and it won’t be pretty.

Do you see yourself here? Those closest to you know the truth, and soon everyone will know as well. But there is hope. God forgives those who are truly repentant, those who possess heart-felt life-changing remorse and seek God’s mercy and grace, and who understand they are completely inadequate to change themselves. There’s no room for a passive attitude or façade here; humility and submission are necessary. We must do our part and seek help from God and others. We must die to self  and put on Christ every day. God promises that if we seek him, we will find him (Matthew 7:7-11). Only God has the power to redeem.

“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

“This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” (William Shakespeare).

So today, ditch the double standard. Be true to yourself; be true to God, and those with whom you’re walking through this life. You and God together can do this.

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).