Are you a fake Christian? Jesus warns us very plainly that there will be people who do good works, perform miracles, and prophesy, who will still go to hell:
Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?”
Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” – Matthew 7:22-23
This is a profoundly somber thing for Jesus to say. You can call Jesus your Lord and perform miracles and yet Jesus will still reject you in the end. Why is this possible? What’s missing? How can you know if you’re a fake Christian, professing your allegiance to God and doing great things in his name, and yet not have salvation?
Judas Iscariot shows us one way being a fake Christian is possible in the New Testament. He was one of God’s chosen disciples. For three years he walked with Jesus, was involved in Jesus’ ministry, and was given authority over spirits:
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:20
And Judas was flawed just like the rest of the disciples. His sins were not unique. He was a thief:
Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. – John 12:6
He was greedy:
When Judas Iscariot bargained with the leaders of Israel for the betrayal of Jesus, he asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” The leaders then counted out a mere “thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:15
But the rest of the disciples were deeply flawed and sinful as well. For example, Peter betrayed Jesus three times, and Thomas refused to believe by faith alone that Jesus was even resurrected. So what’s the difference here? Why were they all saved and Judas condemned? The title of this topic is Judas in the Old Testament. This means that we’re looking for someone who looks just like Judas, in order to give us another perspective on what a fake Christian can look like, what the warning signs are, and what we should do to make sure that Jesus knows who we are after we die. So, who went through the same things as Judas in the Old Testament?
Balaam
If you were to consult biblical commentaries on the topic of Judas in the Old Testament, you will likely be pointed towards all of the various prophecies Judas fulfilled concerning the betrayal of Jesus. But you will probably never be pointed towards Balaam. Balaam is a fascinating person. In the New Testament, we don’t get to see the miracles or spiritual authority of Judas, only the sin, betrayal, guilt, and suicide. But we get to see Balaam acting as a prophet of the almighty God. We see Balaam struggle through following God’s will, eventually speaking God’s blessings upon Israel, and then ultimately betraying Israel through greed, ending in his death. Who ever heard of a prophet, who speaks directly with God, betraying Israel? Well, who ever heard of a disciple, who walks with Jesus Christ himself, betraying the Son of Man for a mere 30 pieces of silver? Who is a better example of a fake Christian than this?
Let’s dive into the direct parallels, which will help reveal the mind of Judas through Balaam, and hopefully help us with our own introspection of our relationship with God.
They Were Both Introduced as Wicked
Judas is actually not mentioned as much as you’d think in the Bible. But every time he is mentioned, the authors don’t ever want you to forget that he was a traitor and a thief. Here are a couple mentions of Judas in different books:
Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. – Matthew 10:4
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected. – John 12:4
He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. – John 12:6
Now let’s look at Balaam’s introduction:
Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said:
“A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”
The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said. – Numbers 22:4-7
It’s easy to skim through the details in the book of Numbers, but you’ll miss something abominable: divination:
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. – Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Balaam is immediately introduced as someone who is paid for the wicked service of divination. His livelihood is detestable to God. What a great introduction!
They Both Shared in the Ministry
Judas was one of the disciples. All of the authority and blessings that Jesus gave to his followers, Judas received:
Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us. – Acts 1:17
Judas did something that you and I simply can’t do, which is speak directly with Jesus during his short time on earth. Balaam also did something that many people wish they could do, which is speak directly with God regularly:
God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?” – Numbers 22:9
That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.” – Numbers 22:20
The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials. – Numbers 22:35
The Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.” – Numbers 23:5
When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him and he spoke his message. – Numbers 24:2-3
The crazy thing about this is that God speaks with Balaam who is neither an Israelite, a high priest, or following any of Moses’ procedures. Balaam is a pagan who practices divination for profit. Likewise, Jesus chose Judas, who was a thief and a sinner, to follow him. God frequently calls us out of sin and into his purposes.
They Both Received Warnings
Judas is given warnings by Jesus before the betrayal:
“The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” – Matthew 26:24
Likewise, Balaam is warned by God when he begins to go down the wrong path. Balaam’s donkey see’s the angel of the Lord and tries to stop Balaam three different times:
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” – Numbers 22:31-33
They Both Couldn’t Ruin God’s Plan
The third thing that Balaam shares with Judas is the inability to interfere with God’s plan. Jesus’ betrayal was necessary for his sacrifice, and he was planning on it happening:
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.” – Matthew 26:23
As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. – John 13:27-30
Likewise, God the Father had blessed the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, and he would not allow Balaam to curse Israel on King Balak’s request:
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.”
Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?” – Numbers 24:10-13
Although Judas may have thought he was taking things into his own hands, his betrayal was already foretold and was exactly what God had planned. Likewise, while Balaam may have wanted to curse Israel for profit, he was completely unable to do so.
They Both Lacked Faith in God
While Judas can be compared to Peter, as they both betray Jesus and come from a history of sin, Peter turns to Jesus in repentance, while Judas turns to the temple priests for forgiveness, which is something the priests can’t do for him:
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. – Matthew 27:3-5
Judas refused to turn to Jesus for forgiveness, which was a free choice he had after the prophesied betrayal. He never believed that Jesus was God nor that Jesus could forgive him. Likewise, Balaam, who spoke God Almighty’s word, and even warned Balak of the coming destruction of Moab, didn’t even believe the very words coming out of his own mouth:
“Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.”
Then he spoke his message:
“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.”– Numbers 24:14-17
Balaam takes part in the ministry of God and proclaims a prophecy called “The prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High.” He admits to have understanding of God, to have direct communication with God, and that he cannot speak against God. And yet, he finds a way to get paid anyway. God gave him the ability to prophesy, and Balaam took that gift and sold it to Balak:
There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. – Revelation 2:14
Judas was Jesus’ friend and disciple, and Judas took that friendship and discipleship and sold it for 30 pieces of silver. Balaam spoke directly with God and proclaimed several powerful prophecies, and he took that gift from God and told Balak how to get around his inability to curse Israel.
What did Judas and Balaam’s lack of repentance get them? Death. It wasn’t because of the betrayals that they died, but because they had no faith in God. Judas’ betrayal led to the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. Balaam’s betrayal led to the suffering and plague upon Israel:
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.
The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.” – Numbers 25:1-5
“Have you allowed all the women to live?” Moses asked them. “They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the Peor incident, so that a plague struck the Lord’s people.” – Numbers 31:15-16
God commanded Israel to destroy everyone involved in the sexual immorality and worship of the Baal of Peor. And who do we find in the list of casualties?
In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination. – Joshua 13:22
We do not find in Joshua’s account a great and noble prophet of God, but someone who practices the abominable act of divination, a sinful man with no repentance. Balaam prophesied that Israel would wipe out all of the people involved, and yet he still lived with them. Why didn’t he listen to his own warning? Because even though he spoke with God, he did not have faith in God, nor was he repentant of selling his sinful plans to Balak.
Why This Matters
Balaam’s story matters in the same way that Judas’ story matters. We see two men who share in God’s ministry and gifts of prophecy, who are both warned by God of the consequences of sin, and who both refuse to repent. Balaam and Judas are the penultimate examples of who Jesus is talking about here:
Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?”
Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” – Matthew 7:22-23
Balaam prophesied in God’s name! Judas shared in Jesus’ ministry and had authority over spirits and could perform miracles!
But they both died and went to hell.
The conclusion to this post is that Balaam is one more example of what a fake Christian can look like, in addition to Judas. Are you doing the right thing publicly, but sinning behind closed doors? Are you seeking ways to get around God’s will? Are you going to other people for forgiveness instead of God? Are you profiting off of other people’s suffering?
Do you profess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, but do not believe in your heart that he died and was raised from the dead for your sins? This is what condemned Judas and Balaam.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:10-13
Judas was put to shame and called a traitor and a thief throughout the Bible, and Balaam was called a practicer of divination, an abominable act, and a lover of wickedness:
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. – 2 Peter 2:15
Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. – Jude 1:11
But if you repent of your sin and ask Jesus for forgiveness, you will not be put to shame. Jesus promises that you will be justified and you will be saved.
From the words of Peter, a man who betrayed Jesus just like Judas and Balaam, but later repented and was justified, never put to shame, putting aside his former evil desires and greed, and received salvation and eternal life:
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:13-16
Dave Aldon 