Many Christians live in a world of divided selves. On Sundays, they are committed—faithful churchgoers, active in programs, home groups, and activities. They are good, pious Christians within the church walls. But the rest of the week? At work, in the marketplace, they blend right in with the world around them. The question is—why?

In Severance, employees undergo a procedure that splits their memories. Work becomes a separate world, with no connection to their personal lives. It’s unsettling. It’s jarring. But isn’t this exactly how many Christians live today? On Sundays, we’re devout, full of faith. By Monday, we’re just another cog in the machine, disconnected from the values we profess.

But should it be this way? Can we continue to compartmentalize our faith, separating the sacred from the secular? Or is it time to challenge the status quo and embrace a faith that permeates every part of our lives—both in church and in the marketplace?

This is the uncomfortable question Severance forces us to confront. And it’s a question many Christians are already asking. How do we reconcile these two realities? How can we be true to our faith in a world that demands division?

The Concept of ‘Severance’ in the Show

In Severance, the premise is simple but unsettling. Employees undergo a procedure that separates their memories—one set for work and one set for personal life. When they’re at work, they have no recollection of their personal lives, and when they leave, they forget everything about the office. The characters live in two distinct worlds, with no overlap between them.

This setup is a powerful metaphor for how many modern Christians compartmentalize their faith. Much like the characters in Severance, Christians often live divided lives. On Sundays, they’re full of faith, participating in worship, fellowship, and prayer. But come Monday, the world of work, politics, and social engagement feels like a different realm. The “work-self” is a different person, one who may act differently or even ignore the values they hold dear.

This division is not just a logistical issue—it’s a deeply spiritual one. It suggests that faith doesn’t naturally flow into every area of life. Instead of living as whole, integrated beings, we fracture our identities, creating a dissonance between who we are in church and who we are in the world.

The Dual Life of Modern Christians

Many Christians struggle with this divide. On Sundays, they are devout, speaking the language of faith, loving their neighbors, and striving to be Christlike. But by Monday, those same values often take a backseat. The marketplace becomes a place where personal beliefs are either pushed aside or watered down to avoid conflict.

Think of a Christian in business. On Sunday, they might speak passionately about honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing. But during the workweek, they’re faced with ethical dilemmas, such as cutting corners to meet targets or manipulating figures to make a sale. The result? They act one way in church and another at work. They might tell themselves, “It’s just business,” or “Everyone does it,” but deep down, they know something doesn’t add up.

This internal conflict is not just about feeling guilty—it’s a spiritual struggle. Romans 12:2 reminds Christians not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. The apostle Paul is clear: our faith should be all-encompassing, shaping how we live, work, and relate to others. When we separate our faith into compartments, we’re not only missing the fullness of Christian living; we’re also undermining the transformative power of the gospel.

How Severance Mirrors This Dual Existence

The disconnect in Severance is a powerful image of what many Christians experience on a daily basis. The “work-self” is dutiful and obedient, focused solely on the tasks at hand, but completely disconnected from any higher purpose. Similarly, many Christians feel isolated from their faith identity in the workplace or social settings. They are forced to conform to a system that doesn’t value their beliefs, resulting in a deep sense of disconnection.

The struggle to reconcile these two selves is painfully clear in Severance. The characters’ attempts to reunite their fractured identities speak directly to the Christian experience. How do we reconcile the “church-self” with the “work-self”? How do we integrate our faith into every area of life, rather than just keeping it contained to Sunday services?

The pain of this separation is real. It creates a spiritual disintegration that, over time, leaves believers feeling less whole. This is not the life God intended for His followers. Instead of living in two separate realities, Christians are called to live with one unified identity—a life that integrates faith into both the sacred and the secular.

But wait…

Of course, some might argue that a certain separation between church and work is necessary. After all, you can’t always wear your faith on your sleeve. Boundaries are important, and in many situations, professionalism requires a level of detachment. There’s a temptation to compartmentalize, to separate the sacred from the secular in order to maintain balance and privacy.

While this is true to an extent, we have to be careful not to let boundaries become walls that isolate us from living out our faith. The Bible calls us to be “salt and light” in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This doesn’t mean we must constantly preach to others, but it does mean that our faith should shape how we interact with others in every sphere of life. There’s no room for a “Sunday-only” faith. Christianity should influence our actions, decisions, and relationships at all times.

Some may also argue that faith is a deeply personal journey and doesn’t need to be public. While personal faith is vital, the Bible consistently calls Christians to live out their beliefs in the world. Faith is meant to be a beacon—visible and active—not just something we hold in private. It’s through this active faith that the world sees Christ at work in us.

Finally, there’s the argument of eschatology. Many Christians believe that the world is a sinking ship and that they’re just waiting for a “lifeboat” escape. This viewpoint encourages a retreatist mentality, where the focus is on personal salvation rather than societal transformation. However, a victory-oriented eschatology—like that found in the teachings of R.J. Rushdoony or Ken Gentry—reminds us that the kingdom of God is growing here and now. As Christians, we are not called to escape the world but to influence it, bringing God’s kingdom to every aspect of life.

The Call to Integration

So, how do we live integrated Christian lives? It starts by accepting that our faith is not something to be compartmentalized. We must strive for a holistic existence where church, work, and family are all under the lordship of Christ. This means letting our faith shape how we conduct business, how we engage in politics, and how we build relationships. It’s about being authentic, transparent, and consistent in our actions, both in the sacred and the secular.

Look at leaders who successfully integrate their faith into their work. They don’t separate their “church-self” from their “work-self.” Instead, their faith shapes every decision they make. Whether it’s a CEO who leads with integrity, a teacher who reflects Christ’s love in the classroom, or a politician who stands for justice, these people show us that it’s possible to live with no divide between who we are on Sundays and who we are every other day.

The power of an integrated Christian life is profound. It’s a life where faith isn’t just a Sunday activity—it’s the lens through which we see the world, the foundation on which we stand, and the force that drives us to make a difference.

Conclusion

Severance offers a sharp critique of the divided lives many Christians lead. It reflects the internal dissonance that arises when we separate our faith from the rest of our lives. But there’s hope: Christians are called to live integrated, unified lives, where faith permeates every corner of existence. The question is, will we continue to live in two separate realities, or will we embrace the full integration of our faith into every aspect of life?