Jennings began singing at a young age in a Toledo church choir. He later joined a group called The Dotsons with two of his cousins and his older brother, Jay. The group separated in the early 1990s, and Jennings rediscovered music and started a music program at an Ohio prison where he was serving a ten-year sentence on an arson-related charge. He has cited Erykah Badu's 1997 album Baduizm as one of the reasons for his rediscovery. Jennings was released from prison in December 2002 and started to pursue a solo career in music. In January 2003, he performed in Harlem at the Showtime at The Apollo. The same year, he also independently released his first EP, What Is Love. To further pursue his career, Jennings moved to New York City where he performed at rapper Nelly's concert at Radio City Music Hall, at an NAACP convention where he performed an original song called "Thank God for the NAACP", and at the Cafeteria in Chelsea, Manhattan during the blackout on August 14. He signed with Columbia Records and released his debut album Lyfe 268-192 (268-192 was his inmate number) in August 2004. His first single was Stick Up Kid, which didn't see much sucess until after the album was released. The album featured his hit single "Must Be Nice". Jennings' second album The Phoenix was released in August 2006. The first single, "S.E.X.", feautures Jennings' protégé, singer LaLa Brown.
Made Up My Mind
Lyfe Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Praying and laying hands on folks stomping and jumping around faking the holy ghost
But its a thin line between walking it and talking it
Living it and giving it or just pretending it's alright
And did they really think that they could pull the wool over your eyes lord
Did they really think that by faking they were saved that they would get the same reward
This be the realest thing I ever wrote for sure
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe
Thy will, will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
And hopefully they will see
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
And Lord who they think they jiving by singing these songs full of glory
Then out in the world it's a different story
I'm running out of people to pray for me
I'm not trying to act like I'm the perfect man
But if you speak about it, you should be about it not just preach about it all day
'Cause if you do you run the risk of chasing some of the most beautiful people away
And it is never my intention to discourage you rather encourage you to change your life today
This be the realest thing I ever had to say, but after this a lot of folks won't like me no mo'
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe thy will, will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
And hopefully they will see
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
In these lyrics, Lyfe Jennings is calling out the hypocrisy he sees in some members of the church community. He starts off by pointing out that some people attend church on Sunday and act as if they are deeply religious by praying, laying hands on others and even faking the Holy Ghost. However, he notes that there is a thin line between truly living and embodying the faith and merely pretending to do so. Similarly, he suggests that these people are only pretending to be saved and that they cannot fool God.
He then goes on to explain that he has made up his mind to speak his truth, even if it hurts others' feelings. He is willing to risk people disliking him or being discouraged by his words because he believes that he will have to answer to God for his actions. By calling out the behavior he perceives as hypocritical, he hopes to encourage others to change their ways and truly embody their faith.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on religious hypocrisy and the importance of sincerity and authenticity in faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord they really think they fooling you by coming to church on Sunday
Some people believe that they can deceive God by only attending church on Sundays without truly following his teachings.
Praying and laying hands on folks stomping and jumping around faking the holy ghost
Some churchgoers pretend to be filled with the Holy Spirit through excessive physical movements and false displays of faith.
But its a thin line between walking it and talking it
There is a fine line between preaching about one's faith and actually living it by following God's laws.
Living it and giving it or just pretending it's alright
People can either truly live out their faith and spread the word of God, or simply pretend to do so without any real conviction.
And did they really think that they could pull the wool over your eyes lord
Did these pretenders really believe that they could deceive God and escape his judgment?
Did they really think that by faking they were saved that they would get the same reward
These fake churchgoers believed that they could still earn salvation from God by pretending to be saved.
This be the realest thing I ever wrote for sure
This song is the most truthful and raw piece of music that Lyfe Jennings has ever written.
After this a lot of folks won't like me no mo'
The truth in this song might cause some people to dislike or reject Lyfe Jennings as an artist.
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
Despite any backlash he may receive for speaking the truth, Lyfe Jennings knows that he will ultimately have to answer to God.
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
Lyfe Jennings has decided to attend church regularly and make a genuine effort to live out his faith.
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe thy will, will be done
Lyfe Jennings hopes that by sharing this song, it will inspire change in those who are pretending to be faithful, and that God's will may ultimately be fulfilled.
On earth as it is in heaven
Lyfe Jennings is referencing a line from the Lord's Prayer, asking for God's will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
And hopefully they will see
Lyfe Jennings wishes that those who have been pretending to be faithful will see the error of their ways.
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
By pretending to live out their faith, these people have been unknowingly discouraging Lyfe Jennings from truly following God's teachings and achieving salvation.
And Lord who they think they jiving by singing these songs full of glory
Some churchgoers sing hymns and songs praising God, but then go out into the world and act in ways that contradict those teachings.
Then out in the world it's a different story
People's actions in their everyday lives often contradict the words that they say in church.
I'm running out of people to pray for me
Lyfe Jennings is losing faith in the people around him who claim to be faithful and help him in his journey towards salvation.
I'm not trying to act like I'm the perfect man
Lyfe Jennings acknowledges that he is not perfect, but he still strives to follow God's teachings and live up to his standards.
But if you speak about it, you should be about it not just preach about it all day
If someone publicly speaks about their faith, they should also make an effort to actually live by those teachings and not just talk about it.
'Cause if you do you run the risk of chasing some of the most beautiful people away
If someone only talks about their faith without actually living it out, they risk driving away potential believers who are attracted to authentic examples of faith.
And it is never my intention to discourage you rather encourage you to change your life today
Lyfe Jennings hopes to inspire those who have been pretending to be faithful to make a genuine effort to live out their faith and change their lives.
Lyrics © CHESTER JENNINGS DBA LYFE IN MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LYFE JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jjtee7873
Lord they really think they fooling you by coming to church on Sunday
Praying and laying hands on folks stomping and jumping around faking the holy ghost
But its a thin line between walking it and talking it
Living it and giving it or just pretending it's alright
And did they really think that they could pull the wool over your eyes lord
Did they really think that by faking they were saved that they would get the same reward
This be the realest thing I ever wrote for sure
After this a lot of folks won't like me no mo'
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe
Thy will, will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
And hopefully they will see
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
And Lord who they think they jiving by singing these songs full of glory
Then out in the world it's a different story
I'm running out of people to pray for me
I'm not trying to act like I'm the perfect man
But if you speak about it, you should be about it not just preach about it all day
Cause if you do you run the risk of chasing some of the most beautiful people away
And it is never my intention to discourage you rather encourage you to change your life today
This be the realest thing I ever had to say, but after this a lot of folks won't like me no mo'
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe thy will, will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
And hopefully they will see
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
@jjtee7873
Lord they really think they fooling you by coming to church on Sunday
Praying and laying hands on folks stomping and jumping around faking the holy ghost
But its a thin line between walking it and talking it
Living it and giving it or just pretending it's alright
And did they really think that they could pull the wool over your eyes lord
Did they really think that by faking they were saved that they would get the same reward
This be the realest thing I ever wrote for sure
After this a lot of folks won't like me no mo'
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe
Thy will, will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
And hopefully they will see
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
And Lord who they think they jiving by singing these songs full of glory
Then out in the world it's a different story
I'm running out of people to pray for me
I'm not trying to act like I'm the perfect man
But if you speak about it, you should be about it not just preach about it all day
Cause if you do you run the risk of chasing some of the most beautiful people away
And it is never my intention to discourage you rather encourage you to change your life today
This be the realest thing I ever had to say, but after this a lot of folks won't like me no mo'
But after this I gotta go answer to you Lord
So I've made up my mind I'm a go to church on Sunday
And sing a song that may hurt somebody's feelings so that maybe thy will, will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
And hopefully they will see
How much they really be discouraging a little old sinner like me
@foots4141
This song hits home on so many levels. Some of the biggest devils are in church. This is one of the few artist I would pay to go see in person. He makes real music about real life.
@sonyalymon2925
Keith sweat
@lovlymine5642
Some of the biggest Devil are in Church
That Part
@Seekingtruth-mx3ur
Facts. Some of the worst and most devilish people I met are in church.
@TuAmorCheyenne
This entire album is a masterpiece✨
His pen game was insane!!! & THIS one, he sung the shit out of!!!! Nothing rings truer.
@keithbennett219
The 178 people going to church on Sunday, praying and laying they hands on folks, faking stomping, jumping and faking the Holy Ghost! Keep singing the TRUTH Lyfe.
@JayBeenCbosen
I have not life to Jesus a little more than a year ago. And since I’ve been saved, this song got a little different. Tepent and give you’re life to the Lord, Amen
@renikaf359
Still listening in 2019!!!!
@tearispope6547
Better know it. Singing it myself