God’s Name on the Lips, the Devil on the Throne by Tina Malaty

The Devil Hides in the Mask of Faith

Every Sunday morning, pews are filled with people who wear the appearance of devotion. They sing hymns, bow their heads, and speak the words of God, but behind the scenes, they live as if the devil himself guides their every step. They lie, cheat, gossip, manipulate, and indulge in selfishness—all while claiming the name of Christ.

They are not struggling in faith; they are pretending. They smile in fellowship while secretly plotting, judging, or exploiting others. They appear godly, but their hearts are far from God. This is a deliberate choice, and it is dangerous—not only for themselves but for anyone who trusts them.

The devil smiles as people use God’s name to shield sin, to gain influence, or to justify lust, greed, pride, or control. The outward show of faith becomes a weapon, a cloak for corruption. But the truth cannot be hidden. Pretending to follow God does not change reality, and the consequences are inevitable.

This is the issue at the heart of Galatians 6:7: God is not mocked. Whatever one sows, that will one also reap. No amount of Sunday smiles, holy words, or public piety can hide the harvest of a life sown in deceit.

Using God as a means to an end

When someone takes God’s name, God’s Word, or the appearance of faith and uses it to obtain status, admiration, influence, money, control, or validation, they are no longer worshiping God—they are instrumentalizing Him.

That is not faith.

That is contempt disguised as devotion.

It says, in effect: God is useful to me, not authoritative over me.

Scripture is explicit about this

Jesus isn’t just talking about currency—He’s talking about competing motives. The moment God becomes a tool for self-exaltation, He is no longer being served.

Peter confronts this exact sin in Acts:

Simon the sorcerer wanted spiritual power for personal elevation. Peter doesn’t call it ignorance. He calls it wickedness of heart.

This is why it qualifies as mockery

Returning to Galatians 6:7—“God is not mocked”—this behavior fits the definition precisely.

It is:

• Counterfeiting allegiance for advantage
• Imitating reverence without submission
• Turning God into a brand, platform, or leverage point

This is not simply hypocrisy; it is exploitation of the sacred.

Jesus’ strongest rebukes were reserved for this:

“Woe to you… you do all your deeds to be seen by others.” (Matthew 23:5)

They weren’t atheists.

They were religious professionals.

Why Scripture treats this as especially severe

Because it:

1. Distorts God’s character to others
2. Manipulates the vulnerable
3. Hardens the heart of the one doing it
4. Invites judgment rather than correction

This is straight-up mockery

To use God for personal gain is to:

• Treat Him as a means rather than the end
• Assume His holiness can be leveraged
• Believe His authority can be worn without being obeyed

That is not misunderstanding.

That is contempt.

And that is exactly why Paul says:

Because the deception is thinking this is sustainable.

The Mechanisms of Counterfeit Faith

1. Appearance Without Submission
   Words can honor, lips can recite, rituals can impress—but God evaluates the heart. To speak the language of faith while ignoring God’s commands is deliberate pretense, an act of spiritual theft.
2. Exploitation of the Sacred for Personal Gain. God is not a tool, a platform, or a currency. Using His name, Word, or influence to elevate self is mockery with eternal consequences. History and Scripture show this repeatedly: Simon the sorcerer attempted to purchase spiritual authority and was rebuked sharply (Acts 8:20).
3. Deceiving Others and Drawing Them Into Ruin. Some counterfeits are skilled manipulators; their performance is convincing. The devoted who follow them unknowingly risk being ensnared, their faith corrupted, their spiritual resources wasted, their hearts misled.

A Prophetic Warning

The devil works in subtle ways, hiding ambition, greed, and deception behind the appearance of faith. He uses God’s name, sacred words, and outward rituals as tools to manipulate both the mocker and the sincere.

These verses are presented first to establish a clear, objective standard. They are not meant to comfort or excuse; they are meant to expose truth. Read them carefully, consider your own heart, and understand that the consequences of pretense are unavoidable.

Key Scriptures

Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

Deception cannot evade the divine ledger. Those who counterfeit devotion will reap ruin; those who follow others’ pretense without discernment risk the consequences of another’s sin. The harvest is precise, inescapable, and merciless.

Matthew 15:8 – “These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”

Outward expression of faith is meaningless if it does not reflect obedience. Words alone cannot substitute for genuine commitment, and the devil uses hollow devotion to manipulate both the deceiver and the deceived.

Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

Saying the right words without following God’s commands is rebellion. The devil exploits this gap, allowing the counterfeit to appear righteous while advancing sin and confusion.

Exodus 20:7 – “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…”

God’s name is sacred and cannot be used for personal advantage or manipulation. 

Misusing it invites judgment and strengthens the enemy’s influence in the heart.

Matthew 6:24 – “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Divided loyalty cannot stand. When self-interest masquerades as faith, the sincere must recognize shadows before being drawn into them.

2 Timothy 3:5 – “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”

Religion without genuine heart change is ineffective. Performance can deceive the human eye, but God sees, and the devil exploits the pretense.

1 Samuel 16:7 – “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

God judges the motives behind actions. The counterfeiter may fool others, but not God, and the sincere must learn to discern true character to avoid manipulation.

Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”

Profession alone is insufficient. Obedience and alignment with God’s will define real faith, and the devil works through counterfeit professions to ensnare the unsuspecting.

Philippians 3:19 – “Their god is their belly… their minds set on earthly things.” 

Self-interest, comfort, and ambition can replace true devotion. The devil uses these desires to draw hearts away from God under the guise of faith.

Acts 8:20 – “You thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.” 

Manipulating spiritual authority for personal gain is condemned. Exploiting the sacred feeds the devil’s schemes and brings inevitable ruin.

Galatians 1:10 – “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” 

True service requires obedience to God, not a focus on pleasing others. The devil exploits human desire for approval, making counterfeit devotion appear attractive.

Psalm 51:17 – “A broken and contrite heart… You will not despise. ”

Humility and repentance are the only shields against deception. Counterfeit faith thrives in pride; sincerity is the only protection.

God Is Not Mocked: Understanding Counterfeit Faith

To mock God is to use His name, His Word, or His authority for personal advantage while ignoring His commands. This is deliberate deception—an imitation of faith that has real consequences.

The Greek term Paul uses—μυκτηρίζω (muktērízō)—means to sneer at, imitate falsely, and show contempt while pretending reverence. This is spiritual fraud, a playground the devil exploits for his schemes.

Who It Affects

1. The Counterfeiter
   
   • Uses God for status, influence, or personal gain.
   • Pretends faith while acting selfishly.
   • Will face inevitable judgment because divine law ensures the harvest reflects the seed sown.
2. The Sincere but Deceived
   
   • Trusts people who pretend to follow God.
   • Can be drawn into manipulation, confusion, and harm.
   • Must rely on discernment and Scripture to navigate deception.

Patterns of Counterfeit Faith

1. Appearance Without Submission
   Rituals and words may appear holy, but without obedience, they are meaningless and dangerous.
2. Exploiting God for Personal Gain
   
3. Using God’s name or Word for leverage is profane and spiritually destructive.
4. Misleading Others
   Counterfeiters can manipulate the faithful; discernment is necessary to protect the heart and mind.

Sovereignty of God and the Devil’s Role

God sees all hearts. The devil prowls, exploiting deceit and pretense, but he cannot override God’s law. Counterfeiters will face ruin; the sincere must anchor themselves in God’s Word, vigilance, and discernment.

Conclusion: Align Heart, Words, and Actions

True faith integrates what you say, what you do, and who you are. Mocking God—intentionally or through negligence—is spiritual fraud, exposing both the counterfeit and those deceived to harm.

The faithful must discern motives, protect the heart, and measure all actions against Scripture.The counterfeiter must recognize that the harvest comes, precise and unavoidable.

God’s name cannot be used as a tool. It must be honored, obeyed, and revered, or the consequences will be absolute.

Amen