Characteristics of an Unbeliever: Who Cares?
Jotting down the characteristics of an unbeliever hasn’t been a priority for me (until now). Pointing out an unbeliever’s differences kept grinding away at my spirit. But who really cares? For one, God does and Christians should too.
Some Christians don’t want to think about who is an unbeliever and who isn’t. Many say they can’t make that judgment because only God knows a person’s heart. That’s true. But there’s one glaring problem. Why wouldn’t a Christian contemplate who needs Jesus? Unsaved people are always on my heart. If they’re important to God, they’re equally important to me. And God is all about people and salvation.
I Timothy 2:1-4
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Jesus mandated Christians to go into the world and proclaim the message of salvation. Because He expects us to do that, doesn’t it stand to reason we should go to people who need to hear the Gospel message?
Before I head in that direction, let me clarify who decides whether someone has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit who lives inside each Christian knows each person’s heart. With His help, He guides you into someone’s path at just the right time. Therefore, judging if someone is saved isn’t up to you or me to decide. The Holy Spirit does.
That said, knowing the telltale signs when someone hasn’t accepted Jesus means you guess less. Along with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you can confidently step out in faith. But how do you know if someone is saved?
Know the Characteristics of an Unbeliever to Determine Their Eternal Status
On most days, Christians keep a low profile. Start evangelizing and people may respond with unwanted and snarky remarks. Don’t let that stop you. Keep engaging with the Holy Spirit so you know who He wants you to reach. Know the characteristics of an unbeliever to stay a step ahead of your enemy, Satan. He wants people to choose him, not Jesus. Here are a few signs of an unbeliever
- A person may openly say that Christianity is hogwash and they’re an atheist. They want you to stay on your turf and off theirs. Of course, respect them but pray like the dickens for God to change their heart. Satan blinds their eyes and heart to God’s truth.
- An unbeliever’s behavior gives away what’s inside their heart. For example, when a person openly doesn’t care about God or people, they directly oppose this important commandment.
Mark 12:30-31
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
- Professing believers aren’t always saved. They say they are to get Christians to shut up. This is when you listen intently for the Holy Spirit’s counsel. Because baby Christians don’t appear much different from unbelievers, it’s difficult to know whether someone is genuine about their faith in Christ.
- They hate hypocrites and rightly so. Unbelievers might pursue Christianity if they saw believers living authentic lives rather than watered-down versions of faith.
- Unbelievers see themselves as spiritual if they believe in any god. Jesus won’t seem like the real deal to them unless YOU have a vital relationship with the triune God.
- The unbelieving mind walks in darkness and runs from light. I John 1:6-7 – If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Likewise, an unbeliever has no use for the Word of God or any intention to follow God. Therefore the Bible doesn’t interest them. Furthermore, unbelievers aren’t interested in the Holy Spirit either. Since He doesn’t live inside them like He does believers, an unbeliever doesn’t understand spiritual things.
John 14:17
This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
Know the Characteristics of an Unbeliever to Help Win Souls for Christ
Do you sometimes wish God would poke you with a cattle prod to head you in the right direction? Christians can’t remain complacent when millions of people’s eternal home isn’t heaven.
So what’s the solution?
Very few people have the soul-winning anointing of Billy Graham and other well-known evangelists. But, you don’t need to be like someone else. Ask God to put a burden in your heart for unbelievers. He wants His sons and daughters to care about what happens to unbelievers spiritually and eternally.
Moreover, live the best Christian life you can so others notice. Every Christian grows and matures in their faith when they’re vitally connected to the source of their salvation – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If they don’t grow in Christ, they may not be saved.
Charles Spurgeon knew the characteristics of an unbeliever to win souls for Christ.
And he only depended on the Spirit of God to do so.
I command men in the name of Jesus to repent and believe the gospel, though I know they can do nothing of the kind apart from the grace of God; for I am not sent to work according to what my private reason might suggest, but according to the orders of my Lord and Master. Ours is the miraculous method which comes of the endowment of the Spirit of God, who bids His ministers perform wonders in the name of the holy child Jesus.
Face the people to tell them something worth hearing, about which you are quite sure, which to you is your very life. There are honest hearts in every outdoor assembly, and every indoor assembly, too, that only want to hear honest beliefs, and they will accept them, and be led to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lastly, do your best and leave the rest to God.