Believers VS. Non-Believers
The Bible has much to say about the difference between those who are genuinely born-again, saved Christians and those who are lost, unbelievers. The Bible also speaks to the existence of those who claim to be a “Christian” but the fruit of their live evidences otherwise. Below are some helpful Scriptures that summarize the differences between believers and nonbelievers and how to recognize the claim to a false faith.
5 helpful Scriptures to begin with:
1 John 3:10 “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”
Acts 26:18 “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
2 Peter 2:19–20 “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. [20] For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”
Galatians 4:8–9 “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. [9] But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:1–2 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, [2] and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” (ESV)
Bible Truths on Perseverance & Endurance of Truly Born-Again Believers
God Strengthens and Enables Us to Endure (Philippians 1:6, Jude 1:24, Colossians 1:11-14)
We Are Called to Be Present in Fellowship (1 John 2:19)
We Are Called to Be Unifiers (1 Corinthians 11:18-19 & Romans 15:4-7)
Endurance Is a Sign of Salvation (Luke 21:16-19, Matthew 24:13, Mark 4:14-20, 2 Timothy 2:12, Acts 14:22, & Romans 11:22, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
Sin Must Be Put Off & Escaped (Hebrews 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Discipline and Self-Control are Essential Elements of Endurance (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
Persevere in Prayer (Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, & Acts 4:29)
Continue through Suffering, Don’t Quit (1 Corinthians 4:11-13 & 2 Corinthians 1:6-7)
Remain in Biblically-Faithful Teachings & Path (2 Timothy 4:3 & 2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Endurance Is Part of Growth and Discipline (Hebrews 12:3-7, Romans 5:3-5, & 1 Peter 2:20-23)
Perseverance & Assurance are Connected! (Hebrews 10:32-36 & Revelation 14:12-13)
More verses @ www.trustworthyword.com/perseverance
Bible verses on assurance: www.trustworthyword.com/assurance
Names of Believers
www.spiritualwarfare.blog/names-of-believers
Accepted. (Romans 15:7)
Alive. Truly & Forever. (Romans 6:23, John 11:25-26, Romans 6:8, Philippians 1:21)
Aroma of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)
Born of God (John 1:12-13)
Blessed. (Ephesians 1:3)
Called to Not Fear or Worry. (John 14:1, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:8-9, Phil 4:6-7, Heb 13:6)
Child and Heir of God. (Romans 8:16-17, Galatians 4:6-7, 2 Cor 6:18)
Chosen and Adopted. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Citizens of Heaven. (Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 13:14, Ephesians 2:19)
Comforted and Comforters. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Crucified, Buried, Risen, and Free with Christ. (Romans 6:4-8)
Empowered Representatives. (2Cor 5:20, Acts 1:8)
Filled with God’s Holy Spirit. (John 7:38-39)
Free. (John 8:32-36)
Friend. (John 15:15)
Forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14, Colossians 2:13-14)
Heard. (1 John 5:14-15)
Inconceivably Rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Justified and Made Righteous. (Romans 5:17-19, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Known. (John 10:14, Jeremiah 1:5)
Light of the World. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Loved. (Romans 8:31, Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16)
Never Alone. (Matthew 28:20)
New Creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Part of the Body of Christ. (Romans 12:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:20)
Purchased and Purposed. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Reconciled with God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Redeemed, Rescued, and Saved. (Ephesians 1:13-14, Matthew 20:28, Romans 5:8)
Saints. (Ephesians 5:3, Philippians 4:21, 1 Peter 2:9-10)
Salt of the Earth. (Matthew 5:13)
Sealed. (2 Corinthians 1:22)
Secure. (Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 2:4-7)
Strengthened. (2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:13)
The Temple of God and of Priceless Worth. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
United with God. (1 Corinthians 6:17, Colossians 3:3-4)
Victorious. (Romans 8:37)
Washed. Cleaned. Declared Innocent. Atoned. Not Condemned. (Isaiah 6:7, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Romans 8:1-2)
Names of Non-Believers
www.spiritualwarfare.blog/names-of-unbelievers
Accursed - Psalm 119:21
Children of the Devil - 1 John 3:10
Crooked - Proverbs 28:18
Dead - Ephesians 2:1-10 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins”
Disobedient, Detestable - Titus 1:16
Drunkard, Glutton - Proverbs 23:20
Enslaved - Galatians 4:8
Evil - Matthew 12:35
Fool - Proverbs 28:26 “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
Guilty - Proverbs 21:8
Indebted - Colossians 2:14
Lost - Luke 19:10”
Sinner - Luke 18:13
Scoffer - Jude 18
Sluggard - Proverbs 6:9
Violent - Psalm 140:11
Wicked - John 3:20
Worldly - Jude 19
Gossips, Slanderers, Haters of God, Insolent, Haughty, Boastful, Inventors of Evil, Disobedient to Parents, Foolish, Faithless, Heartless, Ruthless - Romans 1:29–31
Cowardly, Faithless, Detestable, Murderers, Sexually Immoral, Sorcerers, Idolaters, Liars - Revelation 21:8
Unrighteous, Deceived, Sexually Immoral, Idolaters, Adulterers, Men Who Practice Homosexuality, Thieves, Greedy, Drunkards, Revilers, Swindlers - 1 Corinthians 6:9–10
Lovers of Self, Lovers of Money, Proud, Arrogant, Abusive, Disobedient too their Parents, Ungrateful, Unholy, Heartless, Unappeasable, Slanderous, Without Self-Control, Brutal, Not Loving Good, Treacherous, Reckless, Swollen with Conceit, Lovers of Pleasure - 2 Timothy 3:2–5
www.spiritualwarfare.blog/character-of-unbelievers UNBELIEVERS, NO MATTER THEIR VERBAL CLAIMS TO FAITH, HAVE WORKS OF THEIR LIPS AND LIVES THAT SHOW…
1. Ongoing Disobedience to God.
Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
2. A Love of the World.
Matthew 7:17–20 “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
3. A Love of Pleasure and Lack of Self-Control.
1 Corinthians 5:8–11 “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
4. Habitual Practice of Unrepentant Sin - Examples: Sexual Immorality, Idolatry (Coveting), Adultery (Lust), Homosexuality, Stealing, Greed, Drunkenness (Substance Use for a High), Partying, and Dishonest Gain
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
5. Opposition to Love - Impatience, Envy, Bragging, Arrogance, Rudeness, Self-Focus, Easily Irritated, Resentful/Bitter, Disobedient, Ignorant of Truth
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
6. Opposition to the Holy Spirit - Examples: Sexual Immorality, Impurity, Sensuality, Idolatry, Sorcery, Enmity, Strife, Jealousy, Fits of Anger, Rivalries, Dissensions, Divisions, Envy, Drunkenness, Orgies, and Things Like These.
Galatians 5:17–21 “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
7. Opposition to God’s Law
1 Timothy 1:8–11 “ Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."
8. WARNING: They Will Suffer Forever in Hell
Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
What does the Bible say about Nominal “Christians”
TOP 20 Important Passages!!
AKA (also known as): Self-Deceived, Vain Belief, False Faith, False Believers, Carnal Christians, False Prophets, False Teachers, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, Fake Christians, Professing “Christians”
Examine Yourselves, Test Yourselves - 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (ESV)
1) Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:1-20, spiritual fruit evidences salvation, Mark 4:20 “But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” (ESV)
2) Keep in Step with the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-24 - fruits of the Spirit vs. works of the flesh
3) 1 John - love, obedience, forgiveness
See also: “How can I be sure that I am a Christian? Saved? Born Again?”www.trustworthyword.com/how-can-i-be-sure-im-a-christian
Judas - publicly identified as a Christian, Luke 22:3 “Satan entered into Judas”, John 17:12 “son of destruction”, greedy (John 12:6), murders himself instead of going to Jesus in repentance (Matthew 27:5)
Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11 publicly identified as Christians, yet Satan filled their heart to lie to God and they are killed instantly in judgment
Self-Deceived - James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (ESV)
“They were not of us” - 1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (ESV)
Lip Service, Not Heart Service - Matthew 15:8 ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”
“I never knew you” - Matthew 7:21–23 "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (ESV)
“Recognize them by their fruits” - Matthew 7:17–20 “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (ESV)
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing - Matthew 7:15–16 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (ESV)
Jesus’ Spiritual Family Identified - Matthew 12:50 “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (ESV)
“Deny Him By Their Works” Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
“Children of God” or “Children of the Devil” - 1 John 3:10 “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”
“Enslaved” to Demons - Galatians 4:8 “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.”
Slaves to the One Whom You Obey…Impurity and to Lawlessness…[or]…Righteousness”- Romans 6:15–19 “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! [16] Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? [17] But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, [18] and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. [19] I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” (ESV)
“Good Treasure” vs. “Evil Treasure” - Matthew 12:35 “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
“Does Wicked Things…Hates the Light” - John 3:20 “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”
“Worldly People…Devoid of the Spirit”- Jude 19 “It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”
Who are they really? - Romans 1:29–31 “They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”
What is their eternal destiny? - Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
What is the evidence of their lives? - 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
What do they love? - 2 Timothy 3:2–5 “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Other helpful passaged: Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:18