THE DANGER OF DISHONOURING GOD WITH OUR LIFESTYLE

THE DANGER OF DISHONOURING GOD WITH OUR LIFESTYLE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 2:21-24

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 10:29, Isaiah 29:13

INTRODUCTION:
Many profess to love and serve God, but their daily actions and lifestyles betray that confession. It is possible to dishonour God, not by direct blasphemy, but through the way we live: by misrepresenting His character, grace, and expectations.
God desires that our lives be a reflection of His holiness and truth. When we live contrary to His Word, we not only damage our testimony, but we also make a mockery of His name before others.
This message calls us to examine whether our lifestyles are bringing glory to God or subtly abusing His mercy and grace.

1. MISREPRESENTING GOD THROUGH INCONSISTENT LIVING
When our lives do not align with God's Word, we send confusing signals to the world about who God truly is.

a) Professing Christ but living like the world (Titus 1:16)
It is dangerous to declare Christ as Lord and still walk in disobedience. Our lifestyle must support our confession.

b) Preaching righteousness but practising sin (Romans 2:21-23)
Many speak the truth but do not live it. This contradiction undermines the credibility of God’s message.

c) Compromising God's standard for acceptance (James 4:4)
We cannot serve God and be friends with the world at the same time. Doing so dilutes our witness.

d) Refusing correction and continuing in sin (Proverbs 29:1)
God warns us repeatedly, but ignoring His voice leads to destruction and dishonours His authority.

Biblical Example: The sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-17) abused their priestly office and made people abhor the offering of the Lord.

2. DISHONOURING GOD'S TEMPLE – OUR BODIES
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be treated as such. Abuse of this temple is abuse of God Himself.

a) Indulging in immorality and addictions (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
We must not use our bodies for unholy purposes. God owns us, and our bodies must glorify Him.

b) Defiling the body through spiritual negligence (Romans 12:1)
A lack of devotion, prayer, and consecration makes the body spiritually weak and unfit for divine use.

c) Using the body as a tool for pride and vanity (1 Peter 3:3-4)
When appearance becomes more important than holiness, we shift focus from God to self.

d) Denying God's ownership of our lives (Galatians 2:20)
We must remember we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us.

Biblical Example: Samson (Judges 16:1-20) abused his calling and strength, leading to his downfall.

3. TREATING GOD'S GRACE WITH CONTEMPT
Grace is not a licence to sin. When we take God's grace for granted, we insult the very sacrifice of Christ.

a) Persisting in sin under the guise of grace (Romans 6:1-2)
God's grace empowers us to overcome sin, not dwell in it.

b) Disregarding the cost of redemption (Hebrews 10:29)
To treat Christ’s sacrifice as a common thing is a serious offence to God.

c) Boasting in freedom while remaining in bondage (John 8:34-36)
True freedom in Christ leads to holiness, not continued enslavement.

d) Abusing forgiveness through repeated rebellion (Psalm 19:13)
Presumptuous sins grieve the Spirit of God and quench His work in us.

Biblical Example: The Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22-23) repeatedly tested God’s patience despite His miracles.

4. BECOMING A STUMBLING BLOCK TO OTHERS
Our lives influence others. When we live carelessly, we cause others to fall, thereby sinning against Christ.

a) Causing others to sin through our actions (Matthew 18:6-7)
God holds us accountable for the spiritual damage we cause to others.

b) Hypocrisy in leadership and service (Malachi 2:7-9)
Spiritual leaders must not compromise truth, as their actions set the tone for the congregation.

c) Teaching but not modelling godliness (James 3:1)
Influence without integrity is a great danger in ministry and in daily life.

d) Justifying sin instead of repenting (Isaiah 5:20)
When we normalise sin, we encourage others to do the same.

Biblical Example: Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) lied to the Holy Spirit and caused fear to fall on the early church.

5. LIVING WITHOUT ETERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS
A life that forgets eternity abuses the purpose of divine existence. We must live with heaven in view.

a) Prioritising pleasure over purpose (Philippians 3:19-20)
Our citizenship is in heaven; therefore, our minds must be set on eternal values.

b) Living as though there is no judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Every action will be accounted for. God’s justice cannot be mocked.

c) Neglecting spiritual growth and maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Refusing to grow is spiritual irresponsibility that dishonours God’s investment in us.

d) Living for self and not for Christ (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Self-centred living is a hallmark of the last days and leads to spiritual decay.

Biblical Example: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) lived for himself and forgot eternity.

CONCLUSION:
Our lives should reflect God’s glory at all times. When we live carelessly, we abuse His name, His grace, and His temple.
Let us examine ourselves today and ensure that we live a life that honours God. Our lifestyle must align with our confession. It is time to repent from dishonouring God through our actions and begin to glorify Him with every aspect of our lives.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, have mercy on me for any way I have abused Your grace.
2. Father, help me to live a life that glorifies You daily.
3. O Lord, align my lifestyle with Your Word.
4. Every act of hypocrisy in me, be uprooted by fire.
5. Lord, make me a living epistle of holiness and truth.
6. Deliver me from every sin that brings shame to Your name.
7. Holy Spirit, convict me anytime I begin to misrepresent Christ.
8. Let my life bring others to salvation, not destruction.
9. Purify my heart and motives, O Lord.
10. I receive grace to honour God in public and in private.