Sunday March 29, 2026Sunday March 29, 2026
Lance Johnson Ministries
Have you ever been invited to an event you didn’t really want to attend? Maybe it was a birthday party for a relative, or a concert of a group you didn’t care for. You probably went begrudgingly, knowing you should go. Today, Bishop Lance encourages you N...
29:30•29 Mar 2026
From Church Habit to Real Change: Bishop Lance Johnson on Hidden Sin and Daily Surrender
Episode Overview
- Being in church, praying and even ministering does not guarantee that a person has repented or changed inwardly.
- Hidden sins such as alcohol abuse, drug use, pornography and affairs can quietly coexist with a religious lifestyle if left unchallenged.
- God’s grace and kindness are meant to lead to repentance, not to be treated as approval of ongoing sinful behaviour.
- Real transformation is a daily process of renewing the mind, taking up the cross and allowing God to confront uncomfortable issues.
- Revival and genuine spiritual fire tend to expose what has been hidden, forcing a choice between repentance and self-destruction.
“"You can go to church 30 years and still be a child molester."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This message from Bishop Lance Johnson hits hard on the difference between showing up to church and actually letting God transform your life. Drawing on the story of Judas in John 12, Lance points out that someone can walk with Jesus, see miracles, even preach and minister, and still cling to secret sin.
As he puts it bluntly, "You can go to church 30 years and still be a child molester" – being around God is not the same as being changed by God. Speaking from his own background of addiction and brokenness, Lance calls out hidden struggles that often sit quietly in the pews: alcohol dependency, “natural herb” drug use, pornography, secret affairs and a double life that looks holy on Sunday but crumbles by Tuesday.
He challenges anyone who treats alcohol as a harmless comfort, calling it a “cheap imitation” for the peace they could find in the Holy Spirit. You’ll hear a strong warning about using the Bible, church roles and spiritual gifts to excuse destructive behaviour. Lance reminds the audience that “the gifts are without repentance” and that a large following or powerful ministry does not prove that God approves of someone’s lifestyle.
At the same time, this isn’t just a message of doom. He highlights David as an example of someone who fell terribly yet responded to confrontation with raw repentance, crying, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” The central theme is simple: real change is daily, honest and uncomfortable, and you’ve got to “take up your cross every day” rather than settling for a religious routine.
If you’re tired of half-hearted faith, secret addiction or relying on church attendance to feel okay, this episode may push you to ask a tough question: are you letting God actually change you, or just learning to hide better?

Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.
