4 Signs Of A Fake Christian
· Thought Catalog
Updated 7 hours ago, December 18, 2025
“Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.”― Francis Chan, Crazy Love
Let’s get something clear right away: this isn’t about pointing fingers at them. Scripture is far more interested in examining us. Jesus was never harsh with broken people, but He was relentless with religious performance. So if this stings a little, good.
Here are four warning signs Scripture gives us, not to fuel judgment, but to expose what’s real and what’s just noise.
1. They Sound Spiritual but Live Unchanged
Fake faith is fluent in Christian language but absent in Christian living.
These are people who quote Scripture, correct others, and post polished faith online, yet show little evidence of inner transformation. Truth is spoken, but love is optional. Conviction is delivered without compassion.
Jesus said we would recognize authenticity by fruit, not vocabulary. When someone’s faith never produces humility, repentance, patience, or kindness, something is missing.
How to spot it: pay attention to how they treat people who disagree with them or can’t benefit them.
2. They Protect the Image More Than the Heart
Fake Christians are invested in looking holy, not becoming whole.
They want the reputation without the refinement, the title without the surrender. Faith becomes something to manage publicly instead of something to submit to privately. Jesus called this out directly—people who honored God with their lips while keeping their hearts at a distance. Real faith is not about optics. It’s about obedience when no one is watching.
How to spot it: notice whether their faith only shows up when there’s an audience.
3. They Use Grace to Avoid Repentance
Grace is not permission to stay the same.Fake faith loves forgiveness but resists change. It leans on phrases like “God knows my heart” while ignoring that God is actively trying to reshape that heart. Grace becomes a shield against correction instead of a power for transformation.
Biblical grace always leads somewhere, toward repentance, responsibility, and growth.
How to spot it: listen for whether grace produces humility or excuses.
4. They Follow Jesus Until It Gets Costly
Fake faith works, until obedience demands sacrifice.
As long as Jesus affirms their preferences, comforts their lifestyle, and supports their choices, they’re all in. But when Scripture confronts their desires, relationships, or control, they suddenly feel “led differently.”
Real faith doesn’t disappear when it becomes inconvenient.
How to spot it: watch what happens when faith requires surrender instead of applause.
Find more ways to deepen your faith with books by best-selling Christian author, Rebecca Simon. She is the author of Let Go, Trust God.