The Danger of the Sinner's Prayer

False Conversion

   Have you ever known someone who prayed the sinners prayer, displayed all the "right" attitudes and actions; then over time (days, weeks, months, even years) fall away and even abandon their faith completely.  What happened?  Were they saved and then fell away?  Or could it be they were never saved at all?  Maybe they had a false conversion?

What the Bible has to say   

  The Bible is very clear that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" are saved (Matthew 7:22-24).  The parable of the sower in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8 is a clear message that not everyone who hears the Word of God is a true believer, even if they show some signs at first.   This parable is told in 3 out of the 4 Gospels...must be very important!  There is also the account in John 6:60-66 about the many disciples who were following Christ but turned away when the message of His being their bread was too hard to believe.  I wonder how many walked away when He said "deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me?"  (The Bible doesn't say).

  There are false doctrines taught to many unsuspecting people by both well-meaning but misinformed Christians and false teachers.  Those doctrines come in many forms; but the most dangerous may be in telling people that as long as they have prayed the "Sinner's Prayer" they are saved no matter what. 

Dangerous Evangelistic practice

  There's a very good  article by CARM.org which explains the dangers of the evangelistic practice of using the Sinner's Prayer to proclaim one as truly saved and gives tips on the correct way:  Evangelism Tactics.  I highly recommend reading it.

   In reality, only the individual believer and the Lord know for sure of their salvation. There are really good indicators in people's lives though.  If a proclaimed Christian displays lifestyle choices, activites or attitudes that are contrary to God's Word,  we as brethren should hold a mirror up to them; lovingly and with the motivation of restoration. This is true love; not letting one die in sin without warning and correction (see how Nathan was able to reach David in his blindness of his sin in 2 Samuel 12). 

  As for each individual believer, we are called to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).  That is a topic for a blog series coming soon!