I sometimes write computer programs at work as a part of my job. But usually, before I write the program code, I write something called a pseudo-code. A psuedo-code is something that looks like the actual programming code but it is not. It is just a framework and would not execute correctly. For a regular person, the pseudo-code looks like the program itself, but for someone that knows how to program, he/she would know right away that it is otherwise.
In the same token, sometimes we think to ourselves that we are Christians. We tell people that we are Christians. We quote the Bible here and there, we pray in front of people, we do all the Christian-like virtues, we go to church every Sunday, etc. But sometimes, these things just become habits. We do these things because we are used to doing them. Or we do it because all our friends and family are doing them. It’s not from the heart. And we think we can get away with it!
As the scripture reading above had said, the enemy knows who the real disciples of Christ are. They know what we are made of, and will not be afraid of us if they realize us as a fake - a “psuedo-christian”. And this is very dangerous. If you continue reading the next verse, see what happens to the people who are trying to cast the demons away:
Acts 19:16
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
They were seriously injured and overpowered by the demons. Not only do the demons know our heart’s intent, Jesus himself knows it. This is what he said to the people who does not really know God in their hearts.
Mark 7:6
He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. ‘
Wow! Can you imagine, Jesus himself will tell you that you’re a hypocrite!
My brothers & sisters, while there is still time, let us asks ourselves the question: Am I a “Psuedo-Christian”?