Lily Phillips' Viral Baptism - How to Recognize a False Conversion?

On January 1, 2026, a video went viral showing 24-year-old Lily Phillips - an OnlyFans star known for pornographic “challenges” and viral sexual stunts - being baptized in a church. The Instagram clip racked up over 5.5 million views. Headlines proclaimed: “Porn star converts to Christianity!”

But did she really?

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

Jesus didn’t tell us to naively believe every declaration of faith. He gave us a specific tool for evaluation:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

— Mt 7:15-20 (ESV)

Not by words. Not by declarations. Not by viral baptism videos. By their fruits.

And immediately after, Jesus adds a warning that should send chills down the spine of anyone who thinks that calling yourself a Christian is enough:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

— Mt 7:21-23 (ESV)

You can say “Lord, Lord.” You can get baptized. You can even do things that look spiritual. But if you don’t do the will of the Father - Jesus will say to you: “I never knew you.”

John the Baptist said it even more bluntly to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him for baptism:

You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

— Mt 3:7-8 (ESV)

Baptism itself means nothing without the fruit of repentance. You can dunk yourself in water a thousand times - if your life doesn’t change, it’s just wet skin, not conversion.

The Fruits of Lily Phillips - An Analysis

So let’s examine what fruits this “conversion” is bearing. And I’ll warn you upfront - they don’t look good.

Rotten Fruit #1: Continuing Pornography

Lily Phillips has not announced an end to her OnlyFans career. In interviews, she says she’s “not planning any viral stunts for 2026” - but the pornography continues.

That’s like an alcoholic saying: “I won’t drink vodka anymore, just beer.” Or a thief: “I won’t steal cars anymore, just bikes.”

True repentance means turning away from sin - not modifying it.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

— Is 55:7 (ESV)

“Forsake his way” - not “slightly adjust his way.” Not “reduce the amount of sin.” Forsake.

Rotten Fruit #2: Selective Christianity

In an interview with US Weekly, Lily Phillips stated plainly: “I’m not against gay marriage. I am also pro-choice. That doesn’t mean I can’t be Christian.”

That’s like saying: “I’m a vegan, but I eat meat. That doesn’t mean I can’t be a vegan.”

Christianity is not a buffet where you pick what suits you. You can’t accept Jesus as Savior while rejecting Him as Lord who defines what sin is.

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

— Jas 2:10-11 (ESV)

You can’t pick and choose. Either you accept the whole package - or you accept nothing.

Rotten Fruit #3: Baptism as Content

Let’s look at the timing. Baptism on December 28 - perfect for year-end roundups, “most interesting moments” lists, viral New Year’s content.

Instagram video: 5.5 million views.

Caption: “A Day To Remember Forever.” Professional quality footage, carefully chosen white robe, proper lighting.

Jesus had a very clear opinion on this:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

— Mt 6:1-2 (ESV)

“They have received their reward” - 5.5 million views, media headlines, follower growth. If that was the goal - congratulations, mission accomplished.

But there will be no reward from God.

What Does True Fruit of Repentance Look Like?

To avoid being just a critic, let’s see how the Bible shows genuine conversion.

Zacchaeus - Immediate Change

Zacchaeus was a tax collector - a fraudster who got rich by exploiting others. When he met Jesus:

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

— Lk 19:8 (ESV)

He didn’t say: “I’ll keep cheating, just a little less.” Immediate, radical change. Giving away his wealth. Making restitution for wrongs.

The Adulterous Woman - Go and Sin No More

When Jesus saved the woman caught in adultery from stoning, He didn’t say: “It’s cool, do your thing, what matters is that you believe in me.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

— Jn 8:11 (ESV)

Grace and forgiveness - yes. But also a clear call: sin no more. Not “sin less.” Not “sin more discreetly.” Sin no more.

Paul - From Persecutor to Apostle

Saul was a persecutor of Christians. He threw them into prison, voted for their death sentences, and “was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). He was present at the stoning of Stephen and approved of his death. After meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life turned 180 degrees. From the one who led Christians to their deaths, he became the one who gave his own life for Christ.

This is the fruit of repentance. A radical change of direction. Not cosmetic adjustments.

We Don’t Judge the Heart - But We See the Fruits

Do I know what’s in Lily Phillips’ heart? No. Only God knows that.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

— 1 Sam 16:7 (ESV)

Maybe in a year, in five years, it will turn out this was the beginning of a genuine journey. Maybe God will complete the work He started. I sincerely wish that for her.

But as of today - the fruits look rotten. Continued pornography. Selective acceptance of biblical morality. Baptism as viral content.

This doesn’t look like conversion. This looks like rebranding.

A Warning Against Cheap Christianity

We live in times when “Christianity” has become fashionable in certain circles. Celebrities “find faith.” Influencers attend church services. Baptism makes great content.

But Jesus never offered cheap Christianity:

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

— Lk 14:27-28 (ESV)

True following of Christ costs something. It costs forsaking sin. It costs changing your life. It sometimes costs losing friends, money, popularity.

If your “conversion” costs you nothing - maybe it’s not real.