Is being in church different from being in Christ?
A good churchgoer whose life is overwhelmed by the deeds of the old man has no standing before the Almighty God. Being in church is not the same as being in Christ. You must know where you belong. The Scripture is expressly clear on the need (as a senior citizen) to put off the old man with his deeds that you may put on the new man, which is created in righteousness and true holiness (see Ephesians 4:21-32, Colossians 3:9, Romans 6:6).
What does God expect from senior citizens?
No matter how old and highly reputable you are as a retired service person, you are nothing before God if you have not put off the old man and his deeds. There are certain characters you need to put off concerning your former life. You must do away with all past and corrupt practices, deceits, and lusts. To fall into the category of senior citizenship approved by God, you must have a renewed mind. You must put on the new man to enable you to live righteously and holily.
The consequences of manifesting bad character (not putting off the old nature)
There are characters you must cast away for you to function the way God approves or expects.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing, which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that, which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you“. EPHESIANS 4:25-32
These unmistakable fruits of the old man can reduce a well-respected senior citizen who is not born-again to nothing. Any retired person, pastor, or elder who fails to put off the following manifestations of the old man may end up in regrets and bitterness.
Lying
God can empower you to overcome the influence and control of lying spirits. In Ephesians 4:25, Paul asked Christians in Ephesus to put off lying before heaven. No one can speak the truth without overcoming the spirit of lying first. The epicenter of all human crises is the suppression of truth. Lying spirits possess more people in the world today. This is unprecedented. The good news is that God has given His people the power to overcome the devil and all his agents, including lying spirits. God has given His people the power to overcome sin. Romans 6:14 says: For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
The danger of living a deceitful and hypocritical life
The world may regard you as a holy and pure senior citizen, whereas heaven counts you as wicked because you live deceitfully and hypocritically.
What is God’s view about the people that lie?
Lies nurture suspicion, lack of trust, deceit, violence, and endless wars. Woe to the people whose ways are full of lies. Do you want to know how God views such people? Here it is:
‘Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. Therefore, also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine’. MICAH 6:11-15
The dangerous and devastating effect of lying.
A lie is like an open grave and serpentine poison. Lies are very destructive to humans and global peace. Phony senior citizens, pastors, ministers, etc., who refuse to put off lies are deceitful workers and teachers of iniquity. Senior citizens who are liars have abandoned their duties as beacons for society and accepted seducing spirits and doctrines of the devil to deceive others.
What should senior citizens do to avoid lying and compromise?
If you are afraid of doing the right thing no matter the consequences, you would remain on the fence of compromise, and you are lying to yourself. There is no joy in lying. If you lie because you are afraid of believing and standing up for the truth, perhaps when brought face-to-face with death, pray about it. Ask God to help you and give you wisdom in all situations, but don’t allow your flesh to keep you in the ocean of lies or evil doings.
The Scriptures state, ‘But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death‘. REVELATION 21:8
Therefore, it is wrong to lie, no matter your reason (see Romans 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:13; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).