Playing Piggy Back
I think we all at some point played the game piggyback. Maybe with friends or our dad or someone. We might have even been in a piggyback race. For those who are not sure what piggyback is, it's when someone gets on someone else's back, and the one person holds the weight of both of you and walks.
You probably know where this will be going. But if not, the piggybacking method is something I have personally seen a rise in within the Christian community. This is where there is a true believer whose heart, mind, and soul is to love God. (Matthew 22:37)
Then they have a person who thinks just because they hang out, know, or act like this Christ follower that they are good to go as well. But the sad part of this is that the person who’s not really living Matthew 22 is just playing piggyback.
It's an amazing thing to be looked up to for encouragement or a role model. But it can’t replace a true relationship with Christ. Just because a wife is saved doesn’t mean a husband will be saved. Just because your best friend is saved doesn’t mean you're saved. Just because your daughter or son is saved doesn’t mean you are. I hope the point is coming across that just because you're associated with someone who knows Jesus doesn’t mean you know Him.
For the people who say BUT…. The Bible doesn’t…
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. (Psalm 146:3)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:5)
Just a few scriptures talking about this. The only person we are allowed to so-called piggyback on is Jesus, and that’s because he’s the one that picked up the cross for you and me and carried it to be put to death on.
How to identify a piggybacker:
I think this is an important part of this article: how to identify someone practicing this and why it’s something important to be aware of, What are the signs? Now I will tell you, this is me personally telling you what I think the signs are and the reasoning behind them. I do, however, back this way of thinking with God’s word.
Changing their beliefs to match yours with no reasoning behind it.
Agreeing and never having a true discussion because they have nothing to add due to the lack of not reading God’s word for themselves and having a real relationship with Jesus for themselves.
Quoting what you say about the Bible rather than just quoting the Bible.
Going to “church” just because your spouse or someone you know goes. So you're along for the ride.
Talking about being religious or spiritual to you but not showing any fruit.
Will talk about God when you're one-on-one but in front of other people, you wouldn’t dare catch them talking about God to others.
Or if you're talking about God, Jesus, or the Bible in front of their friends, and they are embarrassed or the friends have never heard their friend say anything about those topics.
I guess the gist of this is someone who is only acting like they have a relationship with Jesus because you do. But they don’t even really know what that means and have never truly given their life to Christ and do not live for Him.
The danger of this? You might be asking.
So what, people are at least trying to act like a “Christian,” right? Right, that’s the problem. “Acting” like a Christ follower doesn’t mean you are a Christ follower. You can act like a chicken, but that doesn’t mean you're going to lay an egg.
So now we have learned the danger of this and how to identify it. What now? Say you have someone like this in your life, and you fear for their salvation?
It’s really simple.
First off, pray about it before you talk to them. Ask God to use you to better His kingdom and to be open to letting the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. (Ann Lester)