How can you tell whether someone is a real Christian or not?

Question

And I can't really accept "you can tell by their fruits" as an answer, mostly because there are a lot of people who are *not* Christians who outwardly display the fruits of the spirit. Not trying to be a pain, just eliminating that one because of the logical problems with it. I've just seen a lot of things about "these people are not real Christians" or whatever, and I'm curious as to the criteria.

Answer 1

There is only one way to be a "Christian" (Ephesians 4:4-6) and that is by obeying the Word of God. If you review the examples of conversion given to us in the Bible you can see that in order to be saved one must hear the Word of God, believe, repent, confess that Jesus is the Christ and son of the living God, and be baptized. Then live Godly. Too many denominations out there try and tell people belief only will get them there when this is incorrect. See the book of Acts, read it carefully and pay attention to the acts of conversion. Yes, peoples fruits are a good place to start, but there will be a lot of "good" people in hell because they did not obey God's word.

Answer 2

Sure, there are a lot of people in the world that exhibit these same characteristics. The difference is whether or not they have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. You know Christians by their love John 13:34 and the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:9-11, darkness is defined as those who only follow their own instincts, have no knowledge of God and don't want to know Him or search im out.

Answer 3

You ask. Ask the person if he or she is Christian. If you feel it necessary, ask how this person became a Christian -- and why, if you like. If someone says he or she is Christian, and really means it, you need to be very careful in deciding otherwise; that's God's territory, truly. You can ask other questions (like the how & why) and attempt to engage this person in Christ-centered conversation. Of course, if someone claims Christianity because he or she isn't anything else (Hindu, Buddhist, Gnostic, etc) that's a bit different. This can be determined by asking those same questions (how&why) politely, of course. You need to pray for discernment, then use that discernment without being judgmental. That's tough, and that's where your own use of the Spirit's Fruit comes in. We need to be very careful that we do not leave others with a bad impression of Christians. Make sure your reasons for wanting to know if someone's a 'real' Christian are Biblically sound.

Answer 4

In this forum, you would have to look at thier Q&A to see if they are consistent with what they claim.

Keep in mind, we are in a constant state of learning, like children being taught by their parents, one may have a problem with anger while another has a problem with tattletales, as the child grows, they learn to let go of bad behavior or so we hope, with some it takes longer then others.

The person who claims to be "born again" will begin to show fruits from the word of God, but that doesn't mean they will not fail at times.

Answer 5

...Certainly, begin by asking God for His grace and wisdom, as you seek to discuss salvation with someone.
...We really can't know that for sure, since only God knows if we have truly trusted in Christ. We are to be fruit inspectors, too.
...The only other way to get a feel for someone's spiritual condition is to engage them in conversation. We used to ask 2 questions when trying to share the Gospel.
...Q-1. Have you come to the place in your (spiritual) life, where you can say that you know for sure you would go to Heaven if you die?
...Possible answers are yes, no, or not sure what you mean.
...Q-2. Suppose you were to die tonight and stand before God, and He were to ask you, "Why should I let you into My Heaven?" - what would you say?
...If we got answers about good works they did, church affiliation, giving to charities, parentage, etc - these will never get one to Heaven. We would then deduce that the person was probably trusting in works, and that we needed to share the Gospel with them.
...The only acceptable answer here is that one has personally trusted in the Lord Jesus alone as Savior.
...The other thing you might do is ask for their personal testimony - ask them how did you come to know Jesus as Savior?

Answer 6

There fruits-
They bring joy to thoes around them.
They seek to lighten the load of others
They if asked, will answer- but they will let you know who they are.
And most important they know the truth!

Answer 7

You can't. I think that is why Christians believe God is the ultimate judge, and the only one who can tell whether you are a true Christian or not.

Answer 8

Everyones personal relationship with God is just that...personal...no one has the right to say or judge as to how a proper Christian should look our behave!!!

Answer 9

They live somewhat good lives. Are somewhat good natured. They read the Bible at least now and then. They are often somewhat evanglestic.

Answer 10

The basic principles of the Bible are not difficult to understand. However, neither are they mere platitudes or matters of intellectual interest. They are living, vital truths, and wise Christians learn to love them. Jehovah says: “To my words do pay attention. To my sayings incline your ear. May they not get away from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those finding them and health to all their flesh.”—Proverbs 4:20-22;

Nevertheless, in spite of the importance of these principles, Jesus warned that only a few would grasp them and live by them. He said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” (Matthew 7:14) This is not because the principles are somehow hidden. Jehovah wants men and women to live by them and thus inherit life. (2 Peter 3:9) He has caused wisdom, knowledge, and discernment to be recorded in the Bible, which is widely available to all. And his Witnesses encourage their neighbors to seek for this life-giving information. In this way, literally, “true wisdom itself keeps crying aloud in the very street.” (Proverbs 1:20; 2:1-9)

Jehovah does not force individuals to serve him, but those who choose to do so need to make some sober decisions. For example, they need to be reconciled to the fact that they can never be popular in this world. (Matthew 24:9) The disciple James warned: “Whoever . . . wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) And the apostle Paul said: “What fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have?” and “What portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?” Then he quoted Jehovah’s own words: “Get out from among them, and separate yourselves, . . . and quit touching the unclean thing.”—2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 5:11.

How can we ‘separate ourselves’? Of course, not by removing ourselves physically from the world. But we can avoid becoming ‘unevenly yoked with unbelievers.’ We can avoid the ‘bad associations, which spoil useful habits.’ (1 Corinthians 15:33) And we can separate ourselves from the spirit of the world, the spirit of self-seeking, dishonesty, materialism, and a frantic quest for pleasure. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) A heartwarming assurance is given to those who thus separate themselves from the desires of this world: “He that does the will of God remains forever.”—1 John 2:15-17.

Principles are basic truths or fundamental laws from which other truths or laws can be derived. Following are some examples:
□ “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.”—Matthew 22:37.
□ “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.”—Matthew 7:12.
□ “Friendship with the world is enmity with God.”—James 4:4.
□ “Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory.”—1 Corinthians 10:31.
□ “We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves.”—Romans 15:1.
□ “Let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.”—Hebrews 13:15.
□ “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together.”—Hebrews 10:24, 25.
□ “Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.”—Matthew 4:4.