1 Samuel 26:2 (NKJV)
“Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.”

In this life, everything that is genuine also has a counterfeit. It is not usually easy to discern the difference because the counterfeit often looks just as real as the authentic. It takes skill and careful study to know the difference. But the difference matters.

In spiritual matters, there is genuine and fake spirituality, and we must strive to walk in the path of genuine Christian living. An example of this is in the area of repentance. Where authentic repentance exists, the fruits are clear and visible.

What is the fruit of genuine repentance? It’s a change in direction. When someone says they have repented of something, it means they have seen the error in their current set of actions and have chosen to correct it. That’s repentance.

Genuine repentance is known only by its fruits. If a person has honestly repented, they stop doing what they used to do and begin something new. The old has passed away, and a new beginning starts. If this is not the case, then something is wrong.

Saul was a man who practiced cheap repentance. In 1 Samuel 24, he lifted his voice, wept, and said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I rewarded you with evil.” (verse 17). Was this genuine? No!

In today’s reading, we see Saul taking three thousand men with him, again seeking the life of David. Why would he go back on his earlier decision? In verse 21, we see him repenting again and saying to David, “I have sinned…I will harm you no more.”

Too many Christians are like Saul. We say one thing today and rescind it tomorrow. We repent today and go back on our words tomorrow. We weep tears today and quickly go back to our vomit tomorrow. This is not authentic Christianity.

As pilgrims, let’s not join the bandwagon of false spirituality. Yes, a man may fall into habitual sin, but we must not accept this as normal. We must call it out for what it is. As pilgrims, our devotion is to Christ, and our word is our bond. When we repent, we stick to it by His grace.