Are You a Christian in Name Only? Living a Life That Bears Fruit

Are You a Christian in Name Only? Living a Life That Bears Fruit

Many people today claim to be Christians, but their lives tell a different story. They say they love God, yet they flirt with the world—living in ways that contradict His Word. True Christianity isn’t just about saying we follow Christ; it’s about showing it through the way we live. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”

A life surrendered to Christ will produce the fruit of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh. If we truly belong to Jesus, our actions, attitudes, and choices should reflect His character. The Bible warns against being a Christian in name only—one who professes faith but does not live it out.

Flirting with the World

Many people claim to follow Christ while still embracing worldly lifestyles. They indulge in sin, justify compromise, and seek the approval of the world rather than God. But James 4:4 makes it clear:

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

This verse is a strong warning. If we love the world’s ways and not God’s ways, we are living in opposition to Him. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

We cannot claim to follow Christ while still holding onto sin. It’s not enough to wear the title “Christian” if our hearts are far from Him. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, quoting Isaiah:

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” – Matthew 15:8

If our hearts are far from God, our words mean nothing.

Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit

A true Christian’s life should be marked by the fruit of the Spirit, not by the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

These are the signs of a life transformed by Christ. If we are walking in the Spirit, these fruits will be evident in us. However, if we claim to be Christians but our lives are filled with sin, compromise, and worldliness, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly following Christ, or are we just claiming His name?

Examine Yourself

Paul challenges us in 2 Corinthians 13:5:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

This is a call to self-reflection. Do our lives truly reflect Christ? Are we bearing fruit, or are we just carrying the label of Christianity?

Living Set Apart for God

As believers, we are called to be set apart from the world, not conformed to it. Romans 12:2 tells us:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

If we truly love God, we will obey Him. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Modesty matters

As Christians, the way we present ourselves matters. Our outward appearance should reflect a heart devoted to Christ, not a desire to fit in with worldly trends. Modesty is not just about clothing—it’s about an attitude of the heart that seeks to honor God rather than draw attention to ourselves.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 instructs women specifically on this:

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

This verse highlights that godliness should be our focus, not dressing to impress the world. The world encourages revealing, flashy, and attention-seeking fashion, but God calls us to dress in a way that is respectful, humble, and glorifying to Him.

Romans 12:1-2 reminds us:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

When we dress, speak, and act like the world, we send a message that we are more concerned with fitting in than with pleasing God. But when we live in a way that honors Him—including in our modesty—we shine as lights in a dark world.

Final Thoughts

A Christian in name only is not a Christian at all. True faith in Christ leads to transformation.

Are we moving closer to Christ or further away?

Let’s not be people who say we love God while clinging to the world. Instead, let’s surrender fully to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in our lives. If we are truly His, it will show—not just in our words, but in the way we live.

Are you just a Christian in name, or are you living a life that reflects Christ?