Introduction
The word pious is not often used today. When it is used, it frequently carries a negative connotation. In reality, there is nothing wrong with being pious if that piety is grounded in God rather than in performative religion—the kind practiced by the Pharisees. What concerns me is a false piety, a self-seeking form of holiness that sometimes appears among Christians.
This kind of piety is subtle and often goes unnoticed unless someone draws attention to it. It expresses itself in attempts to perfect oneself in Christ by doing more religious activities: praying more, fasting more, reading the Bible more, joining prayer groups, praying for everyone, and being seen doing “holy” things. In such efforts, we may imagine God praising us as a “good and faithful servant.” Yet this mindset is foreign to the spirit of the New Testament.
I have seen this attitude in both unbelievers and believers—a pious appearance that looks holy but is not truly godly. More troubling still, I have recognized the same tendency in myself. It reveals itself in things I consciously say and do, often shaped by my own assumptions about what holiness should look like.
In truth, these inner impulses are not always genuine holiness; they are often attempts to appear holy. I may think I should do this rather than that because it seems more spiritual. At times, I have even avoided simple enjoyment, feeling that having fun must somehow be unholy or sinful because it serves my own pleasure. The result has sometimes been a self-imposed burden—an unnecessary strain in my Christian walk—where sacrifice becomes self-inflicted rather than Spirit-led.
Christ did say, “Be holy, for I am holy.” Yet the holiness He calls us to is not something we manufacture through effort. It is something imparted through our relationship with God. True holiness flows out of communion with Him, not from the accumulation of religious works. I suspect that many Christians, in one way or another, fall into the pattern of trying to produce holiness through their own strength.
Over the years, I have heard many preachers and teachers emphasize certain practices: read your Bible every day, pray in tongues several times daily, attend church every week—more if possible—tithe faithfully or risk falling under a curse, and so on. Gradually, I found myself feeling guilty—almost as though I were sinning—whenever I failed to keep these expectations. But is this truly what Scripture teaches? I believe the matter deserves closer examination.
The Problem
How can I remove this burden from my life while still walking faithfully with God? How should I think? How should I live? When was the last time I had fun, doing something just for myself? Because I desire to anchor every question in the Word of God, the real issue becomes: What do the Scriptures actually say?
The Christian life, at its core, should be a life of joy. It should even be enjoyable—full of discovery and adventure both in the Spirit and in daily life. I must live in the confidence that God is always with me, even when I stumble. I cannot recall any failure that I would consider a fall into serious sin, yet I still feel a lingering guilt when I do not conform to the expectations often proclaimed from pulpits or broadcast across social media.
At times, it seems that some churches place great emphasis on increasing attendance and participation in Church programs. Larger numbers can make a ministry appear successful, and more members naturally bring greater financial support for buildings and programs. I do not deny that churches need resources or that programs can serve a community well. Yet too often the underlying message feels less centered on Christ and more focused on sustaining the institution itself.
For the believer seeking truth, the essential question remains the same: Is our focus leading us closer to Christ, or merely deeper into religious obligation? True discipleship must always begin and end with Him.
Genuine Piety
Genuine piety begins in the heart and is focused on reverence for God, submission to His will, a life shaped by obedience, and a heart aligned with truth.
Unholy Piousness
This type of pious individual has a holier-than-thou attitude of superior virtue. This is often called self-conscious piety or sanctimonious sincerity. He is self-righteously pious – a Pharisee. This is often derived from your primary focus in your life.
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;” 1 Timothy 4:7 ESV
Or, this type of piousness shows up in Christians who are always down, looking for scriptural answers, being continuously tired, washed out, sickly, and quite often a burden on their fellow believers.
Beware, telling a fellow believer they are this way is dangerous and will often drive them into deeper depression. They need wisdom from above, followed up by prayer and much love.
Focus
What is often called piety, as I am using the negative term, tends to turn our attention inward. The focus becomes the self—our well-being, our prosperity, and a life free from trouble, hardship, or persecution. Prayer groups, home fellowships, and study gatherings commonly center their petitions on healing and well-being for members, family, friends, acquaintances, and others with whom we hear are facing difficulties. All these are “self-aware” petitions rather than God-centered. We also pray for national and international concerns—wars, conflicts, and global unrest.
These concerns are not wrong. In fact, they are good and compassionate. Yet they often fall short of the full direction God has given us. They are done under pressure from our peers. We act the way we think we should act before them rather than before God.
As mentioned, most of these prayers address immediate needs only. Rarely do we hear prayers that look toward the future: He is coming—are we ready? Few reflect on the eternal perspective—that we are being prepared for Christ’s millennial reign and for our eternal life with Him. The final prayer recorded in the book of Revelation is simple and profound: “Come, Lord Jesus.” This cry captures the heart of the believer’s ultimate hope. Should this not shape the central focus of our lives on earth?
Yet even as we try to obey God, our attention often remains fixed on present concerns. Consciously and subconsciously, we strive to be holy. That desire itself is not wrong, for Scripture says, “Be holy, for I am holy.” But the idea that holiness consists primarily of a long list of what we must do and what we must avoid—lest we fall short—is a distortion of the truth.
Christ did not call us into a life of endless restrictions and morbid social welfare. He said that He came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly. “L’Chaim, L’Chaim to life” was Tevye’s message in “Fiddler on the Roof”. True holiness and being pious are not a joyless existence defined by constant self-scrutiny. When faith becomes nothing more than rigid rule-keeping, it grows dull, monotonous, and burdensome.
In such moments, we risk becoming like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day—careful to appear righteous before others and ourselves, while missing the deeper purpose of God. In doing so, we make the Christian life far harder than it was ever meant to be, putting burdens on ourselves and others that should never be there.
Our calling is not merely to survive this life comfortably, nor to construct a system of outward piety. Our calling is to live in vibrant expectation of Christ’s return, to grow into the people He is preparing for His kingdom, and to rejoice in the life He has given us.
Conforming to Expectations
I, Being Pious.
- “I didn’t read the Word today. I’m so tired I can’t concentrate. I’ll have to read more tomorrow”. But being pious, I read and remembered nothing, falling asleep.
- “I can’t go in there. It’s a liquor store. (I needed Whiskey for a recipe.)
- “I can’t read that. It’s fantasy/fiction with wizards, etc.” (The Bible has witches, murders, incest, and even God-sanctioned genocide in it.)
- “That’s a bar I can’t be seen in. I’m a pastor.” (Jesus sat with drunkards, prostitutes, etc.)
- That was a stupid prayer – too short and I didn’t use any scripture.
- What are people going to say if I…?
- I’ll not continue this. You’ve got the point. I bet you can think of a few.
I am well aware that some churches, trying to be holy, forbid clapping of hands, dancing, and singing.
This is not attractive at all. Like the Pharisees, these churches are placing more burdens upon believers than they can bear.
Today
I still struggle with this somewhat today, but not nearly as much as I did in the past. I’ve made Jesus my friend. When reading or doing whatever, I know He is with me. This is not only a spiritual thought. I actually feel His presence to the degree that I make Him a participant in what I am doing. This is what a true friend does. He is not just my friend; I am His. When I read, I find links to scripture and Godliness, even wisdom and knowledge that I should apply to my life as a Christian. God is in everything, whether you are reading Darwin and Nietzsche or Moody and Spurgeon. What do we look for in our everyday walk? Are we continuously aware that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit?
It’s OK To Have Fun
The Bible does not condemn joy, celebration, or recreation. In fact, it repeatedly affirms that joy is a gift from God. What Scripture does address is the source, purpose, and boundaries of enjoyment. The biblical concern is not whether people have fun, but whether that enjoyment honors God or leads to sin.
“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV
I remember the first time I saw a film where Jesus was laughing. I was strange to me – a revelation. I thought it was fantastic that Jesus would laugh. My first images of Him were always very somber, holy, and totally cheerless. Many Renaissance paintings of Christ are like this. I know Christians like this today. They are not fun to be with at all, and I usually avoid them.
Conclusion
This is what I learned from this study. The highest form of joy is spiritual.
“You (This is Jesus) make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11 ESV
Make Jesus a part of everything you do during your day. Friendship with Jesus works both ways. If you want Him to be your friend, be His. Do things with Him and never think of Him as being an outside observer judging you. If you are truly side by side and mess up, simply say, “Oops, missed that one. So sorry, please forgive me.” And move on. You will find joy in His presence. Your future with the coming Kings will be joy forevermore.
This is demonstrated piety.
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
