Stop Dating the World: It’s Time to Go All In for God!

Let’s be real for a moment: how often do we proudly wear the label “Christian” but live like the world holds the deed to our soul? Fornicating here, porn addiction there, a little cheating, lying, unforgiveness, envy—oh yeah, I went there early. Don’t act like you can’t relate. For years, I lived in that messy middle ground—wanting to follow God but still holding hands with the world. Sound familiar?

Then came 2023—a year I’ll never forget. A life-altering event shook me to my core, forcing me to confront the truth about my faith and where my heart truly belonged. It was raw, messy, and painful, but it led me to discover what it really means to live for God. Ready to unpack this? Let’s dive in.

For many of us, faith has been handed down like a family recipe. For a long time, we’ve equated strong faith with showing up to church. But God’s not looking for seat-fillers—He’s after hearts fully devoted to Him, hearts that worship Him daily, not just on Sundays.

Here’s the thing: for many of us, the faith we grew up with wasn’t always rooted in Scripture. It was shaped by tradition, culture, and routines passed down from our parents—the very things they inherited. And while some of it was well-meaning, a lot of it leaned more on rituals than on the truth of God’s Word. The Bible tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Parents weren't always teaching their children how to seek and walk closely with God each day. Attending church services and praying with spiritual leaders took precedence over fostering deep, daily intimacy with God. This has led many to seek guidance from others before they seek God Himself. Now, God certainly places mentors and resources in our path, but our primary calling is to know Him personally.

In many cases, our parents passed down a faith system that leaned heavily on tradition, not necessarily on true discipleship or direct engagement with Scripture. They only knew the Word of God through the interpretations of others, often missing the power of personally studying the Bible. Many from their generation never read the Bible in its entirety—a vital step for every believer. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Think about that for a second—how can we truly say we love Jesus if we don’t even know what He’s asking of us? His Word is where we find His commandments, His heart, His truth. Yet let’s be real—how often do we actually open our Bibles? We can’t follow what we don’t understand, and we can’t understand what we don’t read. Too often, we skip the Word and rely on secondhand knowledge from others.

Our parents did what they knew, but here’s where we’ve missed the mark: too often, we’ve subcontracted our spiritual growth to the church while neglecting our daily walk with God. Sure, church is vital—it’s where we gather, worship, and grow in community. But it’s not a replacement for personal intimacy with Jesus.

It’s time to do some heart work. Let’s take a good, honest look at what we’ve been holding onto—traditions, habits, or mindsets—and ask: Do these align with God’s Word, or have we just been following what we were handed? Too often, we stick to patterns of faith without stopping to examine if they actually reflect Scripture. But here’s the good news: we don’t have to stay stuck in “that’s just how it’s always been.” Let’s be the generation that breaks the cycle. Let’s chase after God, prioritizing His truth over human traditions.

Here’s a reminder for you: the most life-changing transformations, the kind of deliverance that shakes chains off, and those powerful, heart-stirring revivals? They don’t always start in the church building. More often than not, they’re birthed in the quiet, sacred spaces of your daily life—in your living room, your car, your prayer closet.

Now, forgive my long-winded intro (what can I say—this fire runs deep!), but let me cut to the chase. Here are some nuggets from my journey that I pray will hit home for you:

1. Salvation – Knowing God for Real

Growing up, I thought I had a free pass to salvation just because I came from a Christian family. My mom was a prayer warrior—she knew how to call heaven down—but here’s the truth: I was riding on her faith, not walking in my own. I barely touched a Bible unless I was in church, and even then, it was like words on a page, not life-changing truth. My connection to God? Let’s just say it was more Wi-Fi drop than solid signal.

I was straight-up lukewarm. Claiming faith on one hand, but letting the world call the shots on the other. The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat it—“Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). That hit hard. I was trying to serve two masters, but Jesus already made it clear: “You cannot serve both God and money” (or in my case, the world) (Matthew 6:24). To be real? I loved what the world offered way more than I loved God. Spiritually, I was starving. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge,” and that was me—wandering, lost, and without direction because I didn’t know the Word of God for myself.

After what 2023 threw my way, I knew something had to shift—big time. I hit the ground running with fasting and prayer, pouring my heart out. But somewhere along the way, I felt stuck, like I was still leaning too much on people—waiting for a pastor’s shoutout, a prophecy, or a prayer group to light the way. I’d been chasing signs, wonders and solutions, zeroing in on my wants and needs.

The turning point came when I stopped relying ONLY on pastors and prayer groups to feed me spiritually. I picked up my Bible and asked God to meet me there. And He did. Slowly but surely, my desires shifted. The things of this world lost their shine, and I found joy in seeking God daily.

2. Daily Devotion – It’s About Relationship, Not Religion

The foundation of a faith-filled life? It’s simple: daily time with God. Think about it—if we can prioritize work, family, and scrolling through social media, why not carve out intentional time for the One who gave us life?

God isn’t calling us into a casual acquaintance—He’s inviting us into daily discipleship. A journey where the Holy Spirit leads, teaches, and refines us, step by step. Yet so many of us miss this foundation. Real discipleship isn’t staying surface-level—it’s about pursuing a deep, personal relationship with Christ and committing to grow closer to Him every single day.

Think of it this way: You wouldn’t expect a plant to grow if you only watered it once a week, right? The same goes for your faith. A vibrant relationship with God requires daily nourishment. So, carve out time to pray, read Scripture, and simply sit in His presence. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

3. Spiritual Warfare – Repentance & Forgiveness 

Spiritual warfare is real—whether we like it or not. It’s a battle we all face, shaped by both the weight of our family bloodlines and the choices we’ve made ourselves. This journey isn’t for the faint of heart—it calls for repentance, renouncing past sins, and breaking free from generational cycles. And yeah, it can feel messy, frustrating, and intense. But here’s the good news: God’s Word tells us to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:7).

Let’s talk about repentance for a second. Isn’t it wild that Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest man to ever live? (Matthew 11:11). Think about that! Moses split the sea wide open (Exodus 14:21). Elijah called down literal fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:10). And Elisha? He raised the dead (2 Kings 4:32–37). These guys were like the Avengers of the Old Testament. Yet John—no miracles, no jaw-dropping signs—was greater. Why? Because his mission was repentance. He prepared the way for Jesus by calling hearts back to God (Matthew 3:1–12). That tells us something huge: repentance is powerful. It’s not just a step in the process; it’s the key that unlocks transformation and brings us closer to God’s heart.

And then there’s forgiveness—talk about a heavy-hitting weapon in spiritual warfare. Forgiveness slams shut every door the enemy uses to keep us stuck in bondage. Jesus didn’t mince words when He said we must forgive others to receive forgiveness ourselves (Matthew 6:14–15). Holding onto unforgiveness? That’s like giving the enemy a VIP pass to mess with your life. Let it go. Forgiveness isn’t just freeing for others—it’s liberating for you.

The battle is real, but so is the victory. Repent, forgive, and stand firm in the truth that God’s got you. The enemy might throw punches, but he’s already been defeated. In this season of spiritual warfare, let us cling to God’s mercy and grace, knowing that He empowers us to endure, to forgive, and to overcome.

4. Environment & Connections

When God starts pulling you through a season of deliverance and cleansing, it’s next level. But here’s the thing—you’ve got to be extra mindful of your environment and the people around you. This isn’t the time to play with fire or revisit old, sinful patterns. Ask yourself, “Are the conversations I’m having and the connections I’m keeping drawing me closer to God or pulling me away?” That’s your litmus test right there.

In this season, discipline is your best friend. Surround yourself with things that pour into your spirit—worship music that stirs your soul, Bible verses that feed your heart, and godly content that keeps your mind fixed on Him. Let the presence of God saturate your space. And while you’re at it, cut ties with anything or anyone that tempts you to go back to what God has already delivered you from. Trust me, you can’t hold onto the past while stepping into your future.

Yes, it might feel lonely at first—some friendships will fade, and people might not get your choices. That’s okay. Let them talk. God’s doing something in you that’s bigger than their opinions. You’re a new creation; the old has no claim on you anymore (2 Corinthians 5:17). Be honest with yourself: can you really handle being in certain environments without slipping? If the answer’s no, don’t even entertain it. You’ve got no business being anywhere or doing anything that doesn’t glorify God.

This is your season of growth. Embrace it. Let God strengthen you, refine you, and set you apart. The world might call it isolation, but heaven calls it consecration . Stay the course—what’s waiting for you on the other side is worth it.

5. Embrace the Process

Some days, it might feel like crickets. You’re sitting there wondering, “God, are You even doing anything in my life?” Let me tell you—He absolutely is. Transformation isn’t an overnight thing; it’s a process. God’s not just slapping a band-aid on your life—He’s digging deep, uprooting the junk that doesn’t belong, and planting new desires that align with His heart. That’s holy work.

Remember, you can’t pour new wine into old wineskins (Mark 2:22). If you’re hoping for a quick fix, you might be missing the bigger picture. God’s shaping you, molding you, and making you more like Him every step of the way. And yeah, that takes time. Real change is built in the process, not the shortcuts.

Here’s the thing: walking with God isn’t just about arriving at a destination—it’s about the journey. There’s so much to explore with Him, so much to learn and discover as He works in your life. Don’t rush it. Surrender, trust the process, and let Him take you deeper than you’ve ever been before.

God’s not just working on your situation; He’s working on you. And when He’s done? You won’t just see the change—you’ll be the change.

Remember: A Devoted Life is the Goal

At the end of the day, God doesn’t want half of your heart—He wants all of you. A life fully devoted to Him goes beyond Sunday services and religious rituals. It’s about seeking Him first, daily, and allowing His Spirit to guide every decision, every moment, and every relationship.

Let’s be the generation that chooses God over the world. Let’s pursue Him with everything we’ve got. He’s worth it!