Spurious or Counterfeit Faith? Paul believed Scripture before his conversion, but not Savingly.

Spurious or Counterfeit Faith

The Bible teaches that there is spurious faith. In the parable of the sower, Jesus spoke of temporary faith. "They on the rock are they, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13). These believers received the word with joy and believed for a season; but in the time of trial, they fell away. They lacked "root and fruit" and they did not continue.

Paul spoke of "Believing in vain" (Cor. 15:2). This is non-saving faith.

Though it has many marks of true saving faith, the evidence of temporary faith soon appears. It lacks the following characteristics of saving faith:

(1) continuance in trusting Christ, and in devotion to Him and His service;
(2) desire to be useful in Christ's church;
(3) attendance to Christian duty;
(4) love of prayer and the Word of God and of assembling with God's people in worship;
(5) devotion to loving the people of God as such;
(6) progress in knowledge of self, sin, and the Savior;
(7) progress in loving holiness and hating sin, with increased conviction of and humility concerning personal sinfulness.

A very vivid example of spurious faith is the case of Simon Magus. Of him it is written, "Then Simon himself believed also; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip" (Acts 8:13) as far as Paul had. Although Paul believed all the Scripture before his conversion, his faith was not saving faith. Note also Agrippa. "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe" (Acts 26:27). But this faith did not save him.

James speaks of dead faith (James 2:17, 26), the giving of mere mental assent to certain historical facts.

He also speaks of devils' faith (James 2:19). This is a religious appropriation of these facts. The demons have a sound confession. They believe in the person ("Jesus, thou Son of God") and the power ("art thou come to torment us?") of Christ (Matt. 8:29).

It is indeed searching and solemn to discover how much the Bible speaks of unsaved people having faith in the Lord. Though it seems incredible, there are those willing to have Christ as their Savior, yet who are most reluctant to submit to Him as their Lord, to be at His command, and to be governed by His laws.

But more shocking still, there are unregenerate persons who profess Christ as Lord, and yet are not in possession of saving faith. The scriptural proof of this assertion is found in Matthew 7:22, 23: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" Here is a large class (many) who profess subjection to Christ as Lord, who do many mighty works in His name, and thus can even show you their faith by their works, and yet theirs is not saving faith. "Depart from Me," said Jesus.

It is impossible to say how far non-saving faith may go or how close it may resemble true saving faith. Saving faith has Christ as its object; so has spurious faith.

"Many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men," (John 2:23, 24). Saving faith is wrought by the Holy Spirit; so also spurious faith has an apparent spirituality and may even partake to some degree of illuminating grace (Hebrews 6:4).

Saving faith is a receiving of the Word of God so also is spurious faith. "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately received it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles." (Matt. 13:20, 21). Saving faith will cause a man to prepare for the coming of the Lord; so will spurious faith. Both the foolish and the wise virgins had the lamp of profession--they all trimmed their lamps and said "Lord, Lord"--but half heard the answer, "I know you not" (Matt. 25:1-13). Saving faith is accompanied with joy; so is spurious faith. "they on the rock....received the word with joy (Luke 8:13).

When we realize how far spurious faith can go in its counterfeits, we are prone to say, "All this is very unsettling and confusing." Yes, it is distressing! But, if we value our souls or care for the souls of others, we will not dismiss this subject lightly. Since the Bible teaches that there is a faith in Christ which does not save and that it is easy to be deceived, we must earnestly seek the help of the Spirit. The Spirit Himself cautions us at this very point, "A deceived heart has turned him aside" (Isa. 44:20). "The pride of your heart has deceived you" (Obad. 3). "Take heed that you are not deceived" (Luke 21:8).