THE COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP AND THE DANGER OF RELIGIOUS PRETENSION Living Fully Identified With Christ in a World of Deception By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24 (KJV)
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” — Matthew 16:25 (KJV)
“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” — Galatians 5:24 (KJV)
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Introduction
The generation in which we are living is marked by increasing deception, spiritual compromise, and religious performance. Many claim the name of Christ, yet refuse the pathway of surrender, holiness, sacrifice, and obedience that true discipleship requires. There are multitudes who desire the blessings of God without submission to His authority, the promises of eternity without the process of sanctification, and the appearance of godliness without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
The message of the cross has been diluted in many places and replaced with messages centered upon self-exaltation, worldly prosperity, ambition, personal comfort, and emotional gratification. Yet Jesus never called people merely to admire Him; He called them to follow Him. He never promised worldly applause to His followers; rather, He warned that genuine discipleship would involve suffering, rejection, self-denial, and separation from the spirit of the world.
The Lord desires a people who are sincere in heart, devoted in spirit, and willing to be identified fully with His Son regardless of the cost. God is not impressed by outward religious appearances while inwardly hearts remain attached to pride, greed, vanity, and worldly ambitions. The Father searches the motives of the heart and examines whether people truly desire His will or merely seek to use religion for selfish gain.
This lesson explores the danger of religious pretension, the necessity of dying to self, the call to true repentance, the importance of walking under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal reward awaiting those who faithfully endure with Christ. It is a call back to authentic Christianity—a Christianity rooted not in performance but in surrender, not in self-promotion but in obedience, and not in earthly treasures but in heavenly riches.
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TRUE CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” — 2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV)
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” — Philippians 1:29 (KJV)
Many people desire association with Jesus only when it is convenient, beneficial, or socially acceptable. However, true Christianity demands identification with Christ both in His glory and in His sufferings. Jesus Himself was rejected, mocked, misunderstood, and crucified by the world system. Therefore, those who truly follow Him should not expect continual acceptance from a world that opposes God.
The modern temptation is to reshape Christianity into something comfortable and self-serving. Many desire a gospel that accommodates fleshly desires while avoiding conviction, sacrifice, and obedience. Yet Christ declared plainly that anyone unwilling to take up the cross is not worthy of Him. The cross symbolizes death to selfish ambition, worldly identity, sinful desires, pride, and personal control.
To follow Jesus means surrendering ownership of one’s life entirely to God. It means allowing His will to become greater than personal desires. Genuine believers understand that their lives no longer belong to themselves because they were purchased by the blood of Christ.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)
The believer who embraces the cross discovers true joy, peace, and purpose. While the world pursues temporary pleasures, the child of God lives with eternal perspective. Earthly suffering for Christ cannot compare to the eternal glory prepared for those who remain faithful.
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THE DANGER OF RELIGIOUS PRETENSION
“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 (KJV)
Religious pretension is one of the greatest dangers facing the Church today. It occurs when individuals outwardly profess faith while inwardly remaining controlled by worldly desires, selfish ambitions, and spiritual rebellion. Pretenders often maintain appearances of spirituality while lacking true intimacy with God.
Jesus consistently rebuked hypocrisy because it deceives both the individual and others around them. Religious performance may impress people temporarily, but it cannot deceive God. The Lord examines the motives, intentions, and hidden realities of the human heart.
Many people measure spirituality by material success, public recognition, popularity, or external accomplishments. Yet none of these things necessarily indicate genuine spiritual maturity. A person may possess wealth, influence, or religious titles and still remain spiritually empty before God.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” — 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)
Pretension thrives where people seek human approval more than divine approval. Such individuals shape their spiritual lives around maintaining image rather than cultivating holiness. They desire the praise of men while neglecting obedience to God.
The tragedy of pretension is that it hardens the conscience. Over time, individuals begin believing their own deception. They assume they are pleasing God simply because they participate in religious activities, while their hearts remain distant from Him.
God calls His people away from empty religion into authentic fellowship with Him through repentance, humility, sincerity, and truth.
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THE CALL TO DIE TO SELF
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” — Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
The central requirement of discipleship is death to self. Human nature naturally seeks self-preservation, self-promotion, comfort, recognition, and control. Yet the Kingdom of God operates contrary to worldly thinking.
Jesus taught that whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Christ’s sake will find true life. This means surrendering personal agendas and embracing God’s divine purpose.
Dying to self involves daily surrender. It means allowing the Holy Spirit to confront pride, lust, greed, bitterness, selfish ambition, and rebellion. It means choosing obedience even when obedience is difficult.
The flesh constantly wars against the Spirit. Without crucifixion of the flesh, believers become vulnerable to compromise and deception. Many spiritual failures occur because people attempt to follow Christ while preserving sinful attachments.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” — Luke 9:23 (KJV)
The believer who dies to self experiences transformation. The Holy Spirit produces godly character, spiritual discernment, humility, and steadfastness. Such a person no longer lives for temporary worldly gain but for eternal significance.
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THE DECEPTION OF WORLDLY RICHES AND FALSE GOSPELS
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.” — 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)
One of the strongest deceptions in modern Christianity is the belief that godliness exists primarily to produce earthly wealth and personal comfort. Many have embraced teachings that equate spiritual success with material abundance.
While God certainly provides for His people, Scripture never teaches greed, covetousness, or selfish indulgence. God’s provision is based upon His wisdom and purpose, not human lust or vanity.
The pursuit of riches can easily replace devotion to God. Jesus warned that people cannot serve both God and mammon. When wealth becomes the object of trust, affection, or identity, it becomes an idol.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt.” — Matthew 6:19 (KJV)
The tragedy of worldly ambition is that earthly riches cannot accompany anyone into eternity. Positions, fame, influence, possessions, and human applause eventually disappear. Only what is done for Christ carries eternal value.
Believers must therefore guard their hearts against greed, comparison, and covetousness. Contentment is a mark of spiritual maturity. Paul declared that he learned to be content in every circumstance because his confidence rested in God rather than material abundance.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV)
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LIVING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” — Romans 8:14 (KJV)
God never intended believers to navigate life through human wisdom alone. The Holy Spirit was given to lead, guide, convict, strengthen, and transform God’s people continually.
Many who fall into deception do so because they neglect the voice of the Holy Spirit. Instead of seeking divine direction, they follow emotions, worldly trends, human opinions, or personal ambition.
The Holy Spirit exposes hidden motives and reveals areas requiring repentance. Genuine believers must remain sensitive to His conviction rather than resisting correction.
Walking in the Spirit requires humility and submission. It requires willingness to obey God even when His instructions contradict personal preferences or societal expectations.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” — John 16:13 (KJV)
The Spirit-led life produces discernment. Believers become able to recognize deception, false teachings, and corrupt influences. They learn to distinguish truth from error and righteousness from compromise.
Those who continually yield themselves to the Holy Spirit develop intimacy with God. Their joy no longer depends upon worldly circumstances because their satisfaction is rooted in fellowship with the Lord.
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THE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES OF OUR CHOICES
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
Every person is making eternal decisions through daily choices. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that there are consequences attached to obedience and disobedience.
The broad path of compromise may appear attractive temporarily, but it ultimately leads to destruction. The narrow way of obedience may involve sacrifice, but it leads to eternal life.
Many people ignore eternity while focusing entirely upon temporary pleasures. Yet one day every individual will stand before God and give account for how they lived.
Those who spent their lives pursuing vanity without repentance will face terrible regret. Earthly accomplishments will provide no defense before the judgment seat of Christ. Only genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ will matter.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction.” — Matthew 7:13 (KJV)
Believers must therefore live with eternal awareness. Every decision should reflect reverence toward God and commitment to His truth.
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Summary
The Lord calls His people to authentic discipleship rather than religious performance. Genuine Christianity requires identification with Christ in both suffering and obedience. Believers are called to deny themselves, take up the cross daily, and walk under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Religious pretension is dangerous because it substitutes outward appearance for inward transformation. God examines the heart and desires sincerity rather than hypocrisy. The pursuit of worldly riches, selfish ambition, and human approval leads many away from true devotion to God.
The Holy Spirit was given to guide believers into truth, expose deception, and produce spiritual maturity. Those who follow the Spirit develop discernment, humility, and eternal perspective.
Ultimately, every individual must choose between the narrow path of obedience and the broad path of compromise. Eternal consequences are attached to those choices.
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Conclusion
The times in which we are living require spiritual seriousness, sincerity, and unwavering devotion to Christ. God is separating genuine disciples from religious pretenders. He is calling His people into deeper surrender, holiness, and faithfulness.
The true believer understands that life on earth is temporary and that eternal treasures far outweigh temporary worldly gains. Those who remain steadfast in obedience to Christ will receive eternal reward and everlasting joy in the presence of God.
May believers everywhere reject compromise, abandon pretension, and pursue authentic intimacy with the Living God. Let the Church return to the cross, to repentance, to holiness, and to complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
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Call to Action
Examine your heart before God honestly. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of compromise, pride, greed, hypocrisy, or worldly attachment. Surrender fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and choose daily to walk in obedience.
Do not pursue temporary approval from people while neglecting eternal approval from God. Commit yourself afresh to prayer, holiness, repentance, and faithful discipleship. Let your life reflect genuine love for Christ rather than mere religious appearance.
Choose today to walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life.
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Final Word of Encouragement
God remains faithful to all who sincerely seek Him. Though the pathway of true discipleship may involve sacrifice, suffering, and separation from worldly values, the reward awaiting faithful believers is beyond comparison.
The Lord sees every act of obedience, every sacrifice, every tear, and every moment of faithfulness. Those who endure with Christ will reign with Him eternally. Therefore, remain steadfast, unmovable, and fully surrendered to the will of God.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
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Salvation Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You today acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of Your mercy and forgiveness. I repent of my sins and ask You to cleanse me by Your precious blood. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again from the dead so that I may receive eternal life.
Today I surrender my life completely to You. Be my Lord, my Savior, and my Master. Teach me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow You faithfully. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me into all truth.
Help me to reject deception, hypocrisy, and worldly compromise. Create within me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my life bring honor and glory to Your holy name.
Thank You for saving me, forgiving me, and making me Your child. I choose from this day forward to live for You alone.
In Jesus Christ’s mighty name, Amen.
