Dealing with False Christians

As I said in an earlier post, Liberal Christianity is a False Religion. You probably know or have met someone that fits the description of a "false Christian". At first glance, they seem real. They talk the language, and they can quote some Scriptures to you (Matthew 7:1 is usually their favorite one), and they claim to be Christians but the longer you listen to them, the more you realize that something is wrong. They support false doctrines, they defend sin, and talk about only the love of God and not the justice of God. We know that not everyone who professes to be a Christian is a Christian. (Matthew 7:22-23) How should you approach someone who claims to be a Christian, but the probable truth is, they’re lost because they’re trusting in their works, or they have a skewed idea of who Jesus is because they don’t believe the Bible is the Word of God?

First of all, here are some things you should NOT do.

1. Discuss, but do not argue with them. Once you’ve established that they aren’t interested in anything but being right, end the discussion.

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” Titus 3:9

“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” II Timothy 2:23

“If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” Proverbs 29:9

2. Don’t make them mad or (especially) don’t let them make you mad.If you aren't careful, you will get frustrated with their lack of understanding of Scripture and their disbelief of the Word. Then your frustration will turn to anger. We are to defend the faith, but not to the point of getting angry.

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” II Timothy 2:24

“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Job 5:2

3. Be careful not to spend too much time discussing doctrine with them when other non-believers are around.

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” II Timothy 2:14

Now for some things you should do:

1. Try to spend one on one time with them, not in public forums. People tend to be more polite one on one, whereas in groups they tend to become more bold and aggressive, especially if egged on by others.

2. Use Scripture often in your discussions. God says “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

3. Depend on the Holy Spirit to do the convicting and convincing. If they’re lost, as likely they are, you will not convince them of much of anything. You plant the seed, water it, and let God do the rest.

“Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” Psalm 35:1

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

4. Pray for them. You were lost once. It probably took awhile for you to realize the truth too.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16

5. Lastly, and this is extremly important -if you come to a point where they are becoming abusive and rude, it’s time to part ways.


“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” Proverbs 9:6

“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Proverbs 14:3

“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” Proverbs 14:7

“The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.” Proverbs 15:7

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 1:9-11