How to Identify False Christians

A recent Pew Research Center study revealed that although 80% of Americans say they believe in God, only 56% of them identify their ‘god’ as the God of the bible. They consider almost anything that is their higher power or ultimate force in the universe to be their god.

This is one of many reasons why true believers must be able to recognize the difference between biblical truths and worldly falsehoods and philosophies.

The devil loves to deceive. His followers are deceived. Let us dig into scripture to make sure that we are not deceived. 

The bible makes a clear distinction between true and false Christianity. It warns us against falling prey to false teachers, and it provides foundational principles of true believers.

If we wish to honor God and receive our eternal reward one day, then it is vital that we study His Word to ‘work out our own faith’ and to know what ‘true and undefiled religion before God’ would have us do. James 1:27.

In Matthew 15:8 Jesus says ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts is far from Me.’ Here our Savior is making an irrefutably clear statement that there are many individuals who pretend (or genuinely assume) to be believers. This passage also delineates a truth that your words are not enough; you must take the next Step and act on the prompts in scripture.

On that same note, 1 John 2:9 strikes a dividing line between what we say and what we believe (or how we live). ‘He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.’ The bible says to love your neighbor. You cannot be obedient to God while hating your neighbor. This includes other believers—when the verse says ‘brother’ it could indicate neighbor or fellow believers, or both. Either way, harboring hatred for others is a big indication of a heart that is not right with God. False believers are easily identified when they express hatred for certain people or groups of people.

Perhaps the clearest statement and the surest way to identify false believers is to memorize and live John 14:23.

Here Jesus states unequivocally: ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home in him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words—’  That pretty much sums it up.

If you know someone who claims to be a Christian, or who seems outwardly righteous, note if that person actually obeys the Word of God. If they attend church but spit out foul language (Colossians 3:8) on Friday, then they probably don’t have much respect for God’s Word. If they decorate their house with angels and say they believe in God but reject the idea of the devil and neglect their studies of scripture (Matthew 6:33, Psalm 119:9, James 4:8), then you know that their heart is not right with God.

Study, if you will, James 1:27. Meditate on this verse. Let it inspire you and move you to a greater appreciation for the duty and requirements of true faith.

Proverbs 3:7 outlines the heart of true faith: ‘Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.’

If a ‘Christian’ gives off airs of pride, and does not bother to depart from and shun sin, then you know this one is not truly in the faith. It then becomes your Christian duty to guide this one to God’s Word.