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

When I used to be in center college, it was thought of one of many greatest offenses to be instructed that you just have been a “poser.” This would suggest that you just’re attempting 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 expertise, then he was a poser. Perhaps he needed the eye from women that being a jock may entice. Sadly, “posers” aren’t simply present in center college; there are some who’ve crept into at this time’s church, pretending to be a Christian. So what precisely are pretend Christians, and the way do we all know after we see one?

What Are Fake Christians?

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

We know that the phrase pretend 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 again,” as a result of they’ve utilized the precept present in Romans 10:9: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The underlying issue that differentiates believers from nonbelievers is the Holy Spirit that abides inside us, in accordance with Ephesians 1:13: “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.”

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

Perhaps this individual selected to put on the Christian title so they might revenue off that status (just like these jock posers again in center college). All of us have possible, at one time or one other, tried to slot in with a sure crowd. If an unbeliever found they might acquire a sure type of acceptance by way of “fitting in” with a church crowd or Christian business, they might have most well-liked to put on a church masks reasonably than really accepting Christ into their coronary heart.

But if somebody needed the acceptance, or the advantages, that come from being a Christian, why wouldn’t they—you realize, really develop into a Christian? One cause 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 foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

Another cause is that, whereas they might relish of their false Christian look, they’re finally not prepared to dedicate their hearts and lives to God. Being a real Christian would contain sacrificing their ungodly life-style—or else they’d proceed that life-style and stay with the guilt. The enemy is a deceiver, and he makes an attempt to make Christianity appear like bondage to unbelievers so they are going to select to stay “free” to stay for him as a substitute.

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

What Is an Authentic Christian?

An genuine Christian, however, is one who has accepted Christ as his or her Savior. The gentle of the Holy Spirit abides inside this individual. Matthew 7:20 gives a sign of how we will determine an genuine Christian: “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people 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, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

In addition, 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 genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

This doesn’t imply that these genuine Christians don’t commit sin; in spite of everything, 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). Rather, when true believers commit sin, they’re convicted by the Holy Spirit (see John 16:8) and stay a lifetime of repentance. They are set free from living in bondage to sin and have been purified by the blood of the Lamb. 

Because believers know 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 Word. They perceive that God’s opinion carries extra weight than man’s as a result of Galatians 1:10 reminds us, “If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

What Is the Difference between Fake Christians and Wayward Christians?

Thankfully, our salvation is not determined by works but by faith (Galatians 2:21). Otherwise, 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 “fake Christian” due to their battle with sin. As people, we are inclined to “look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (see 1 Samuel 16:7). God is the One who will finally decide an individual’s everlasting destiny. James 4:12 reminds us, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”

There are these throughout the church who’ve genuinely accepted Christ as their Savior and as soon as dedicated their lives to Him however have since strayed from following His Word. Perhaps 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 stay, converse, or make each day choices.

When 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 may pray about how we will play a job in main that individual again to the reality. James 5:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

Does Scripture Address the Idea of Fake Christians?

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

Matthew 7:21-23 says, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

We additionally know that God despises a type of Christianity by which an individual shouldn’t be dedicated to a godly life-style. “Straddling the fence” ought to by no means be an choice for the true believer. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” 

Remember Judas Iscariot? He was as soon as thought of an apostle of Jesus, however his true motives have been quickly revealed. When he betrayed Jesus, it was confirmed that he was extra all for what he may acquire from Jesus reasonably than how he may serve him. It is believed that Judas had a monetary intention behind betraying Jesus (see Matthew 26:14-15).

Sadly, there are nonetheless many Judas Iscariots throughout the church at this time—individuals who carry out like a Christ-follower and will even be well-versed in “Christianese,” and but their motives are purely for fleshly acquire reasonably than religious acquire. 

How to Spot Fake 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, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do 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 are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.”

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

Healthy fruits are a sign that an individual is hooked up to the vine (John 15:5).

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

Do they categorical works of the flesh as addressed in Galatians 5:19-21 (resembling drunkenness, sexual immorality, divisions, and so forth.)? We are instructed, on this passage, that “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” In addition, Jesus says in Mark 7:20-23, “’What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’”

Does this individual possess a real fear of God? 

Proverbs 14:2 says, “He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises Him.”

Does this individual teach a false gospel?

By false gospel I imply one that’s “a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:3-5)?

Does this individual’s religion relaxation “in the wisdom of men” or in “the power 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 that this a worldly kind of love that tolerates sin, or is it the godly sort of affection that extends compassion on everybody however holds righteous anger towards sin?

Again, let’s be gradual to guage and chorus from tossing accusations towards somebody who claims to be a believer. After all, godly love is the sort that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:6-7).

We can, nevertheless, use knowledge and discernment to take heed of pink flags after we see them. But this does not give us the right to gossip about somebody inside a congregation. Instead, we will discover reassurance within the fact specified by, Ecclesiastes 12:14, which says, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” 

This isn’t to say we’re not held accountable to talk up about apparent sin throughout 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 you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!”

After all, the one whom you might deem as pretend may very well be somebody whose battle with sin is merely extra apparent than yours. So reasonably than pointing fingers, let’s make investments most of our power into our personal religion journey, decided that we’ll be often known as a passionate follower of Christ.

The godly love we prolong towards believers and non-believers alike speaks volumes louder than our Christian title. In reality, the loyalty and devotion we categorical towards God and others may very well be the very factor that leads these “fake Christians” to Christ.