What Are Fake Christians and How Do We Know When We See One?

Once I was in center college, it was thought of one of many greatest offenses to be informed that you just had been a “poser.” This might suggest that you just’re making an attempt to be somebody you weren’t in an effort to impress others. For instance—if a man claimed he was a jock and even dressed one, however he had zero athletic abilities, then he was a poser. Maybe he wished the eye from ladies that being a jock may appeal to. Sadly, “posers” aren’t simply present in center college; there are some who’ve crept into right now’s church, pretending to be a Christian. So what precisely are faux Christians, and the way do we all know once we see one?

What Are Pretend Christians?

The time period “faux Christian” could convey to your thoughts an image of someone who is a hypocrite. Though there are many hypocritical Christians, we have to break this time period down with a purpose to precisely outline what it means.

We all know that the phrase faux suggests inauthenticity. Counterfeits.

A Christian is somebody who has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior. This individual is taken into account saved, or “born once more,” as a result of they’ve utilized the precept present in Romans 10:9: “Should you overtly declare that Jesus is Lord and consider in your coronary heart that God raised him from the lifeless, you may be saved.” The underlying issue that differentiates believers from nonbelievers is the Holy Spirit that abides inside us, in keeping with Ephesians 1:13: “And once you believed in Christ, he recognized you as his personal by supplying you with the Holy Spirit, whom he promised way back.”

With these two definitions in thoughts, we will outline a faux Christian as being one who has not genuinely been born once more, and but they placed on the persona as if they’ve.

Maybe this individual selected to put on the Christian title so they may revenue off that popularity (just like these jock posers again in center college). All of us have doubtless, at one time or one other, tried to slot in with a sure crowd. If an unbeliever found they may achieve a sure sort of acceptance by “becoming in” with a church crowd or Christian business, they might have most well-liked to put on a church masks somewhat than truly accepting Christ into their coronary heart.

But when somebody wished the acceptance, or the advantages, that come from being a Christian, why wouldn’t they—, truly grow to be a Christian? One purpose is that they might not consider within the message of the cross. 1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us that “The message of the cross is silly to those that are headed for destruction! However we who’re being saved know it’s the very energy of God.”

One more reason is that, whereas they might relish of their false Christian look, they’re in the end not prepared to dedicate their hearts and lives to God. Being a real Christian would contain sacrificing their ungodly way of life—or else they’d proceed that way of life and dwell with the guilt. The enemy is a deceiver, and he makes an attempt to make Christianity appear to be bondage to unbelievers so they’ll select to stay “free” to dwell for him as a substitute.

To summarize, faux Christians are those that have chosen a saved look somewhat than a saved coronary heart. They care extra about their standing by the eyes of the church, their household, or a Christian business somewhat than their standing by the eyes of God.

What Is an Genuine Christian?

An genuine Christian, then again, is one who has accepted Christ as his or her Savior. The sunshine of the Holy Spirit abides inside this individual. Matthew 7:20 supplies a sign of how we will determine an genuine Christian: “Sure, simply as you’ll be able to determine a tree by its fruit, so you’ll be able to determine individuals by their actions.”

The speech and actions of those genuine Christians overflow with fruit of the Spirit, as a result of Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “However the Holy Spirit produces this type of fruit in our lives: love, pleasure, peace, persistence, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There isn’t any regulation in opposition to this stuff!”

As well as, these whose hearts are deserted to God have a concern for matters that concern Him and a hatred toward evil. James 1:27 tells us that “Pure and real faith within the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows of their misery and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

This doesn’t imply that these genuine Christians don’t commit sin; in any case, Jesus is the one sinless human who walked the earth (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5, Hebrews 4:15). Quite, when true believers commit sin, they’re convicted by the Holy Spirit (see John 16:8) and dwell a lifetime of repentance. They are set free from living in bondage to sin and have been purified by the blood of the Lamb.

As a result of believers knowing that we’ll sometime give an account for the best way we lived our lives (2 Corinthians 5:10), genuine Christians attempt to serve God and obey His Phrase. They perceive that God’s opinion carries extra weight than man’s as a result of Galatians 1:10 reminds us, “If pleasing individuals had been my aim, I’d not be Christ’s servant.”

What Is the Distinction between Pretend Christians and Wayward Christians?

Fortunately, our salvation is not determined by works but by faith (Galatians 2:21). In any other case, nobody could be worthy sufficient to face earlier than God in eternity!

With this in thoughts, let’s watch out to not assume somebody is a “faux Christian” due to their battle with sin. As people, we are inclined to “look on the outward look, however, the Lord appears to be like on the center” (see 1 Samuel 16:7). God is the One who will in the end decide an individual’s everlasting destiny. James 4:12 reminds us, “There is just one Lawgiver and Choose, the One who is ready to save and to destroy; however who’s you who choose your neighbor?”

There are these inside the church who genuinely accepted Christ as their Savior and as soon as dedicated their lives to Him however have since strayed from following His Phrase. Maybe this Christian goes to church weekly, prays sometimes, and even loves God—however, their love for Him shouldn’t be mirrored in the best way they dwell, converse, or make day-by-day selections.

After we spot these Christians, let’s refrain from passing judgment and as a substitute prolong godly love towards them, praying that the Holy Spirit will convict them. We will additionally pray about how we will play a job in main that individual again into reality. James 5:19 says, “My expensive brothers and sisters if somebody amongst you wanders away from reality and is introduced again, you’ll be able to make sure that whoever brings the sinner again from wandering will save that individual from loss of life and produce concerning the forgiveness of many sins.”

Does Scripture Handle the Thought of Pretend Christians?

Scripture makes it clear that there are those that will name themselves Christians on earth, however after they attain eternity, their hearts and true intentions will likely be revealed.

Matthew 7:21-23 says, “Not everybody who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Solely those that truly do the need of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your title and solid out demons in your title and carried out many miracles in your title.’ However, I’ll reply, ‘I by no means knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s legal guidelines.’”

We additionally know that God despises a sort of Christianity during which an individual shouldn’t be dedicated to a godly way of life. “Straddling the fence” ought to by no means be a choice for the true believer. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I do know all of the stuff you do, that you’re neither sizzling nor chilly. I want that you just had been one or the opposite! However, since you might be like lukewarm water, neither sizzling nor chilly, I’ll spit you out of my mouth!”

Keep in mind, Judas Iscariot? He was as soon thought of as an apostle of Jesus, however, his true motives had been quickly revealed. When he betrayed Jesus, it was confirmed that he was extra thinking about what he may achieve from Jesus somewhat than how he may serve him. It’s believed that Judas had a monetary intention behind betraying Jesus (see Matthew 26:14-15).

Sadly, there are nonetheless many Judas Iscariots inside the church right now—individuals who carry out like a Christ-follower and will even be well-versed in “Christianese,” but their motives are purely for fleshly achievement somewhat than non-secular achievement.

How one can Spot Pretend Christians

Let’s ask the next scriptural questions:

Does this individual love this world and the things it offers them? 

1 John 2:25 says, “Don’t love this world nor the issues it gives you, for once you love the world, you should not have the love of the Father in you.”

Does this individual love different believers?

1 John 3:14 says, “If we love our brothers and sisters who’re believers, it proves that we’ve handed from loss of life to life. However, an individual who has no love continues to be lifeless.”

Does this individual bear fruits of the spirit, as addressed in Galatians 5:22-23?

Wholesome fruits are a sign that an individual is connected to the vine (John 15:5).

Does this individual dwell in keeping with the flesh or the spirit (Romans 8:13)?

Do they specific works of the flesh as addressed in Galatians 5:19-21 (resembling drunkenness, sexual immorality, divisions, and so on.)? We’re informed, in this passage, that “those that do such issues won’t inherit the kingdom of God.” As well as, Jesus says in Mark 7:20-23, “’ What comes out of an individual is what defiles him. From inside, out of the center of man, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, homicide, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil issues come from inside, they usually defile an individual.’”

Does this individual possess a real fear of God? 

Proverbs 14:2 says, “He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, however, he who is deceptive in his methods despises Him.”

Does this individual teach a false gospel?

By the false gospel, I imply one that’s “a distinct doctrine and doesn’t agree with the sound phrases of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

Does this individual’s religion relax “within the knowledge of males” or in “the facility of God”? (1 Corinthians 2:5)

Lastly, does this individual overflow with the love of God as addressed in 1 Corinthians 13:2? And is this a worldly kind of love that tolerates sin, or is it the godly sort of affection that extends compassion on everybody but holds righteous anger towards sin?

Once more, let’s be gradual to evaluate and chorus from tossing accusations towards somebody who claims to be a believer. In any case, godly love is the type that “bears all issues, believes all issues, hopes all issues, endures all issues” (1 Corinthians 13:6-7).

We will, nevertheless, use knowledge and discernment to take heed of crimson flags once we see them. However, this does not give us the right to gossip about somebody inside a congregation. As a substitute, we will discover reassurance within the fact specified by, Ecclesiastes 12:14, which says, “For God will convey each deed into judgment, with each secret factor, whether or not good or evil.” 

This isn’t to say we’re not held accountable to talk up about apparent sin inside the church (see 1 Corinthians 5:12). Let’s do that from a spot of godly love rather than a “holier-than-thou” attitude just like the Pharisee did within the parable present in Luke 18:9-13:

^“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank, God, that I’m not like different individuals—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m actually not like that tax collector!”

In any case, the one whom you might deem as faux might be somebody whose battle with sin is merely extra apparent than yours. So somewhat than pointing fingers, let’s make investments most of our power into our personal religious journey, and decided that we’ll be generally known as a passionate followers of Christ.

The godly love we prolong towards believers and non-believers alike speaks volumes louder than our Christian title. In actual fact, the loyalty and devotion we specific towards God and others might be the very factor that leads these “faux Christians” to Christ.