I'm serious, because anytime I hear the comment, "They're not a true Christian," I'm left buffaloed.
Does anyone have a fool-proof way to tell a fake Christian from a real one?
2007-02-10 07:55:21 · 26 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If I'm supposed to watch how they act, what do I watch for?
If I'm supposed test their faith, what test should I use?
2007-02-10 08:08:15 · update #1
It seems people have a better idea about when they think other people are FALSE Christians than any way to tell how someone who is a TRUE Christian.
Since the rest of the community may have thoughts about this, I'm going to put it to a vote.
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2007-02-11 01:24:10 · update #2
The Bible sets the standards for true Christians. For instance, true Christians:
Don't go to war. Jesus taught his followers to "love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting." Matt. 5:44
Don't call each other by flattering titles like "father." Matt. 23:9
Direct their prayers to the Father, not to some incomprehensible trinity. Matt. 6:9
Worship God with spirit and truth. As such, they would shun pagan holidays like Christmas and Easter. John 4:24
All those DOING the above are true Christians because they follow the example of Jesus. Those who don't are not true Christians. Matt. 7:21
2007-02-10 07:57:24 · answer #1 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 6⤋
A true Christian should be seriously attempting to be keeping all of the Ten Commandments in Ex. 20 to start with. If you do not know what all ten are you may have some difficulty with this part. Most of them are pretty clear, but the 4th confuses most people as well as the 7th. Every Christian will fail to keep these but all good Christians will continue to ask God to forgive them and help them keep them all, all the time.
They should be loving to others and love God with all their heart and mind.
They should be helping those around them without regard for their own advancement. They should be happy and quiet and kind to everyone all the time.
They should be very unselfish always thinking of others first. They should not be saying untrue things, ever.
They should be moral people without allowing immoral thoughts or images to invade their lives.
I think you can tell a lot about people by the music they listen to , the topics of their conversations, the TV programs they like, what they do with their money and their spare time.
If they have children their children should be well behaved and respectful of others. If they have living parents they should be loving and respectful to their parents.
2007-02-10 08:35:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, a true christian isn't gonna tell anyone they're going to hell. The bible makes quite clear that Jesus will be the judge because He can see into our hearts, so its basically blasphemy for anyone else to pretend His job has become theirs. Also, a true christian will not hate anyone, will not promote hate or perpetuate it, which basically lets out all of those hatemongers who are constantly telling us how very christian they are.
2007-02-10 08:03:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a non-Christian, why do you care? Why don't you just go be whatever you are?
But here is some advice. Those who say, "I am not a Christian," probably aren't Christians.
Otherwise, define Christianity like you would any other category. Do they meet the traditional definitions of Christianity? Do they follow the historical beliefs and practices of Christianity? Were they accepted into the Christian religion through formal initiation, or did they just wake up one morning and decide that they were a Christian?
2007-02-10 07:59:55 · answer #4 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well of course. The Bible tells you how; even Jesus said that many would come in His name that were not of Him. You know them by their fruits. A good tree gives good fruit and a bad tree gives rotten fruit. Do they sow discord, misunderstanding, hate? Do they treat Christianity as a private club that only an elect few can join? Bad tree/ rotten fruit. Do they forgive their enemies, bless those that despitefully use them, show tolerance and brotherhood? Good tree/ good fruit.
2007-02-10 08:03:13 · answer #5 · answered by Amalthea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at what they do. If they do not at least attempt to act like Jesus something is out of order. Would Jesus intentionally pick senseless arguments? Did Jesus go around condemning people for being different? Did Jesus promote war and death? It is not as hard as some people make it seem
2007-02-10 08:09:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is only actions to show who is a follower of Christ and only then if you study the word to understand what Christ taught. If you seek the truth you might end up being the example you are looking for good luck.
2007-02-10 08:01:29 · answer #7 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A True Christian will not deny the word of God, I give them the word test, because God can not go against his own word, & also the Bible says, that you shall know them by their fruits, You don't see a peach tree(carnally speaking) growing pine needles do you.
2007-02-10 08:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A true Christian will display it in his or her actions. He will be gentle, tolerant of diversity, LISTEN to what you have to say, and NOT be a judgemental, rhetoric-spewing, hypocritical, fire and brimstone fanatic. Real Christians really ARE out there! Best of luck.
2007-02-10 08:00:03 · answer #9 · answered by "Corey" 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Watch How They Act.
2007-02-10 07:59:08 · answer #10 · answered by eeklipz777 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question. Yes, there is a way. By their fruits.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
2007-02-10 08:00:01 · answer #11 · answered by yaabro 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋