How can we tell a "real" Christian from a cheating shyster?

Question

I thought of this looking at another question's answer. It seems Christians want to be thought of as good people, and I personally know Christians whom I think are indeed good. But there are also Christians who are hypocrites and who judge other people by standards they don't live up to themselves; they accumulate wealth for the sake of it, they are vain and boastful; they take money from the poor for themselves and their churches; they exact violence and hate upon people who disagree with them (I have NEVER met a Christian who would turn the other cheek!) and are generally repellent individuals in all possible ways.

But these are things it takes a while to pick up on. How do I spot the fake Christians at an early stage? Isn't it possible that someone might LIE by calling themselves a Christian and yet living like a devil? Do any "real" Christians think these people should be denied the right to call themselves Christians just because they say they are? If not, why not?

Thank you for your concern Tonyamail: i haven't been taken advantage of at all and am not sure why I need to calm any more down than I already am. But I was moved, as I said, by an answer to another question which concerned someone who really WAS taken advantage of by people who called themselves Christians - basically concerning a vulnerable old lady with a lot of money and they swindled her and her family out of all of it before she died. I'd have e-mailed you directly but was not able to.

Answer 1

Real Christians are rare, but they do exist. Basically, they are kind, give money to the poor, don't judge people by their religion (and don't say "You're going to Hell!"), and finally, they don't vote Republican.

Answer 2

Online you can't tell a good Christian from a "cheating shyster". You either take the stance that everyone online is lieing, or everyone is telling the truth until proven otherwise.
IRL, the same applies. You have to get to know someone before you can judge them. Yes, I said judge them, and yes I am a Christian.
Yes it is possible that people don't always follow the principles Christ set forth. It is possible, and a reality that people lie, cheat, steal, and break every other commandment and principle given to them and still call themselves a Christian. What does all of that mean? If they repent and ask for forgiveness, and try to live their lives better then that's what matters. We're here, on this earth because we haven't been "twinkled" yet. Meaning, we haven't been taken to Heaven in the "twinkling of an eye". We're not perfect, and not suppose to be yet.
Just chill out, get to know people and pray to be able to distinguish the true at heart from those who have a closed heart.
You can't deny someone the ability to associate with a group of people just because they don't fullfill all of the duties of an ideal member of that group. We're all here to learn and grow and progress. I've learned many great lessons from people who I thought I was better than, before I got to know them and realized they were better than I. We all teach each other and learn from each other without even trying. What I need from you may be something that you learned recently or it may be some quality you were just born with. I may learn it now, or later. It may be taught to me now, and then I may not realize the lesson you taught me for 20 years or longer.

It sounds like you've recently been taken advantage of. I'm sorry if that happened, and I don't mean to take away from your legitamate feelings, but seriously, you need to calm down, and realize everyone is doing the best they can and that we're all going through something that for us is just as hard as what you are going through.

Answer 3

You are very right. Although it's nearly impossible to tell who the real Christians are. "For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]." (Romans 8:19 (Amplified Bible))

However, we are also told that we may recognize false Christians -
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-24 (New International Version))

Another tool is to be very familiar with what Jesus is and "looks like". Here is a URL that may help you get a better grip on real Christianity as opposed to false christianity.
http://www.raystedman.org/authenxnty/

Answer 4

I am sorry about the class of people you have met. I too, have run into these people. The church goer who denigrates others. The holy man who seeks out whores. Etc. We have heard them all. But be assured there are many good ones. I hope that I am. I will not bore you with conversion as you are not open to it.

Bobby Bare sang a song in the 70's "Would Jesus wear a Rolex watch, on HIS TV show?"

Or would he have a crystal cathedral a block from one of the poorest sections of town.

Like we say here in Coastal Texas. A guy like that is all hat, no cattle. But please do not think they represent all of us.

Thank you for the question.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I have only met one real Christian in my entire life. A person who actually labored to live the kind of compassionate, non judgmental life that Jesus supposedly lived. Other than that, they seem to be few and far between. Except for the Cathars of Languedoc (pre France) I can think of no Christian demomination or sect that has actually attempted to walk the path of their Son of God.

As with all things, just be wary. Their actions will eventually speak to their true nature.

Answer 7

You know, I've actually met a few people who've been able to turn the other cheek... never bad mouth others and harbor no hatred to anyone at all...

Only thing they had in common was not a one of them ever said anything about being Christian... They may have been, but they never advertised it..

Answer 8

why should you care either way, whether a person is a real christian or a fake christian? you seem pretty bitter toward christians in general, does it really matter to you? i honestly dont judge people who say they are christians, they have no reason to lie about it, plz live and let live.

Answer 9

I am of The True Christian Faith... and my list of personal flaws is quite lengthy... But I try to control the effects of my shortcomings as best I can... I have never met one of the True Faith who did not have several flaws...

Then... there are far more who think they are Christians than there are those who truly are.... and it is most often not possable to tell... in fact... Only God and the individual knows for sure... I can not tell for sure if someone is...and no one else in mortal flesh can tell if any one else is for sure....

yes there are those who lie and say they are... those are the ones most likly to eventualy to be exposed for what they are... As we say...God will take care of them eventualy...

Answer 10

I have a suggestion - to fake Christianity you need to be smart, so a simple IQ test could point you to separate the honest from the fake.

Answer 11

Not by the words that come from their mouth, but by their life.

Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12