Have you ever said or heard someone else say this: “I don’t want be a Christian because Christians are hypocrites.” It’s one of the primary perceptions that discourages people from wanting to follow Jesus. In this episode, Jasmin looks at two explanations for why the actions of someone professing to be a Christian might not always align with what they say they believe, and shares some encouragement for both Christians who are growing in spiritual maturity and those not yet Christians who may be hesitant to follow Jesus because of the belief that Christians are hypocrites. See below for Bible verses and more study resources based on this conversation.
Episode Outline and Bible Verses
1. Not everyone who believes they are a Christian actually is one.
- Luke 6:46-49
- Matthew 7:21-23
- 1 John 1:8-2:6 (*I encourage you to read the book of 1 John in it’s entirety!)
- 1 John 3:4-10
- Ephesians 2:8-10
- Ephesians 4:17-24
- Philippians 1:9-11
- Galatians 5:16-25
2. Even true Christians are still a work in progress.
- Philippians 1:6
- 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
- 1 Peter 2:1-3
Recommended Resources
SERMONS
Here is a sermon by the late Dr. Charles Stanley about what repentance and saving faith really are. And here’s a podcast and instagram video by Phylicia Masonheimer on the same topic.
SONGS about being discouraged as you grow spiritually and God’s encouragement for us in those moments!
LET’S TALK! How did this conversation challenge or encourage you personally in your own faith journey? Discuss this episode in the comments below!
