The Dangers of Easy Believism

     One of the most devastating things to plague American Christianity is the teaching of  “Easy Believism.” This is the belief that all one needs to do in order to have salvation is believe in Jesus and say the “sinner’s prayer.” Many of us know it as an “altar call.” This false teaching was first developed in the mid-19^th by Presbyterian evangelist Charles G. Finney and became more popular through the teaching of D.L. Moody. All you have to do is pray a prayer, nothing else, right? In other words, easy believism teaches people that all you have to do is pray a prayer and there does not have to be any life change, no repentance! But is this what the Word of God teaches us?

     James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:19-25).

     Does this sound like that all we have to do is pray a simple prayer and we are saved? James says that when someone truly experiences Jesus there will be evidence. There will be a desire for changes. It is called repentance. You have heard the saying “actions speak louder than words.” Well, when someone claims to have surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord, the evidence will speak for itself.

     So what about us? Do we fall into the trap of “Easy Believism?” Do we believe that all we have to do is pray a prayer and go on about  life unchanged? God wants commitment. He wants lives changed. He wants us moved to the point of repentance so that we can become holy people. He wants holy people to advance the kingdom of God, not simply by what we say, but by what we do! Scripture says that the world will recognize believers by their fruit! Join me as we confront the scam of easy believism in our culture.

Stay faithful, 

Greg Edens