Denial of Christ
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:33
What does it really mean to deny Jesus Christ? Many are the scriptures that speak of it, also using related terms like confess, reject, ashamed, disobedience.
Frankly, people that openly and verbally deny Jesus are few: almost superstitiously not directly speaking against Him! To accept Jesus without denial, however, is to accept Him as Christ: it is to accept our Lord for all that He is, and proclaims to be. He is the Word, the Son of God, our creator and judge. Most false religions have a place for Jesus within them, but not the position of truth. All these deny Jesus Christ through their very doctrine.
Moreover, we must pray not to be deceived.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:4,5
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Corinthians 11:14,15
Upon reading such passages as Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 13:24-27, it should be easy to see that there will be those who die deceived. How terrible to be so sincere, and yet be so lost!
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9
Since Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-14; Revelation 19:13), disobeying or altering the Bible’s instruction is also a denial of Christ.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t preach at people—I let them see how I live.”? This is not the gospel of Jesus Christ!
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?...So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:9,10,13,14,17
Beyond these scriptures, the previous erroneous statement of “see how I live,” reflects a works-based salvation. So this denial of Christ actually reveals itself to be another gospel (see Galatians 1:9).
Through Peter, Jesus gives us the format of confessing who He is, and not denying Him (Jesus).
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16
What do you think when you read I John 4:2,3? Everyone pretty much knows that Jesus was here on earth in the flesh . The key is the term Jesus Christ. Plainly explained later in the same chapter;
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. I John 4:15
Many are the lies about Jesus and His life. Few accept Him as the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8); who He really is and proclaims to be. The false teachers within churches now take a more subtle road to denial, often introducing heresies by attacking God’s Word. This is really an attack on Christ Himself, and Satan loves it!
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. II Peter 2:1
Brethren, please retain enough humility and Godly fear to believe the Word in faith. We will not understand everything right now, because we can only see through a glass darkly (I Corinthians 13:12). Great are the compromises made by men; men who feel that they must know, or be able to know and understand.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; I Timothy 4:1
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. II Timothy 3:5
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4
Obedience to the Word of God (Jesus) is necessary to not deny Him. I’m not talking about having moments of failure—that’s what grace is for! But trying and falling short is not the same as denying, and not trying!
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. Psalms 103:17,18
The following verses reflect strongly the need of obedience, that we may be “confessed” before the Lord.
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. Numbers 15:30-31 (bold type added for emphasis).
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. Joshua 24:27.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. I Samuel 15:22,23.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:13,14.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: II Thessalonians 1:8.
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:9.
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: I Peter 1:16,17.
Chapters two and three of Revelation are to the seven churches, with most of the language being a rebuke or warning to them. Within the limited, positive compliments are those who have not denied Christ (Revelation 2:13; 3:8).
Then there are some specifics regarding the Word of God and instruction.
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? Jeremiah 8:9
Rejecting the Word is unwise.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
They rejected baptism—thus also sin confession.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:6-8
To deny God’s chastening is to disclaim spiritual adoption.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. I John 1:8-10
We must confess that we are sinners, and repent for the ways we transgress at times.
We should not be ashamed for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. This is God’s gift for all who will receive—why be ashamed?
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Psalms 119: 116
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; II Timothy 1:8
This last days’ world and most organized churches are in a state of rebellion, with Satan’s power growing. With every question and concern you have, always pray; and consult the true Word of God (KJV) for your answers; better to serve in faith, than to deny by rationalizing.
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: II Timothy 2:12
See also Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 28:60-63; II Chronicles 6:24-27; Psalms 25:3, 119:46; Luke 12:8,9; II John 7.
WARNING: To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.
Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.
Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.