The following is a list of the characteristics of people who profess to be
Christians. The list on the left is characteristics of one who goes on in
the Lord (True Christian). The right list is characteristics of one who goes
backward and eventually will fall away from the Lord (False Christian).
Use this list on a regular basis to evaluate your life in light of the
scriptures.
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| HE WHO GOES ON IN THE LORD | HE WHO GOES BACK
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| Has a reverential fear of God. (Prov.28:14, Psl.147:11) | Has NO fear of God.
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| Values his deep personal relationship with God. | Does not have a real personal relationship to God.
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| Has a long term vision of his life in the lord. | Has No vision. or little vision.
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| Practices what he learns. | Hears, sees, doesn't really learn, take no action.
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| Listens to and responds to the Holy Spirit. | Listens to and responds to his own spirit (flesh).
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| Strives in all things to please God. | Cares only about pleasing himself.
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| Puts others first. | Puts self first.
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| God is center of his life. | He is center of his life.
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| Attitude is "I love you". (Jn.13:34) | Listens to and heeds most or all spirits.
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| Is free in the Lord. (Gal.5:13) | Is in bondage to this world.
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| Lives a Holy Spirit led life. | Is free wheeling, out of control.
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| Works with conviction. | Works with condemnation.
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| Is morally pure. | Has variable morality.
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| Is constantly changing, becoming holy. | Unchanging, staying carnal.
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| Walks in and brings peace. | Walks in and brings strife.
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| Crucifies (kills) his flesh daily. (Gal.5:24) | Exhalts (satisfies) his flesh daily.
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| Is a redemptive person. | Is a condemnative person.
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| Restores. | Destroys.
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| Examines self daily in light of Scripture. | Has no need to examine self, I'm ok.
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| Prays regularly. | Seldom prays.
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| Studies Scripture regularly. | Seldom or never studies Scripture.
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| Is righteous through the Blood of Jesus. | Is self righteous.
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| Sows to the Spirit. (Gal.6:8) | Sows to the flesh.
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| Wants to be a blessing to others. | Wants others to bless him.
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| Is concerned about inner change. | Is concerned about outer appearances.
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| Is a giver. (Gal.6:10) | Is a taker.
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| Knows God is his source for all. | I can do it all.
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| Has a circumsized heart. | Has an uncircumsized heart.
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| Is longsuffering. | Is impatient.
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| Understands need for authority. | Hates authority.
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| Desires proper leadership. | Detests all leadership.
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| Submits to proper authority. | Usurps authority.
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| Is fruitful, produces good fruit. (Gal.5:22-23) | I fruitless or produces bad fruit. (Gal.5:19-21)
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| Is humble. (Prov.29:23) | Is proud.
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| Is just. (Prov.29:27) | Is unjust.
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| Is satisfied with God's provision. (Prov.28:25) | Is never satisfied. Is greedy.
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This is only a very short partial list, you can add much to this list, which is what you should do. As you read and
study on this subject, complete this page by inserting 1 or 2 scriptures for each item, then turn this page over and
continue building this list. The two books of the Bible that I suggest as a starting place are Proverbs (all) and
Galatians chapter 5.
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