The church, as the body of Christ, is a gathering of redeemed sinners. Yet, within this assembly, there are some whose hearts remain far from the Savior. These individuals may outwardly appear to walk the same path as the faithful but inwardly remain unchanged by grace. They are not “tares among the wheat,” as the parable of Matthew 13 describes those who are unbelievers sown among believers by the enemy. Rather, they are more like venomous snakes—stealthy, unyielding, and harmful. Their presence is marked not by growth in the Spirit, but by a selfish, unloving disposition that stands in stark contrast to the character of Christ.
A Common Thread of Selfishness
Scripture speaks to the heart of this issue: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20, BSB). The selfishness of these individuals is evident in their unwillingness to extend love to others, especially to those who have stumbled or seem unworthy in their eyes. They withhold forgiveness, refuse compassion, and look down on others who differ from them in education, culture, or social standing. Such behavior is not merely unkind; it is antithetical to the gospel.
The Marks of a Snake in Waiting
While the wheat and tares grow side by side until the harvest, snakes in the fellowship are often discernible by their fruit—or lack thereof. Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:1-2, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” The contrast is clear. While true believers humbly seek to restore the fallen and bear each other’s burdens, snakes push others down further. Their harshness toward others’ failings and lack of empathy in times of suffering reveal the true state of their hearts.
The Cost of False Holiness
Self-righteousness often masquerades as holiness, but its fruits betray its nature. Isaiah warned against such hypocrisy, declaring, “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me; their worship of Me is but rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13, BSB). True holiness flows from a heart transformed by grace, a heart that mirrors the mercy and love of Christ. False holiness, however, erects barriers of judgment and pride, fostering division rather than unity.
A Call to Vigilance and Repentance
As believers, we must be vigilant, guarding our hearts and our fellowship. The Apostle Peter warns us to “be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, BSB). While we cannot always discern the intentions of others, we can examine our own hearts for signs of selfishness, pride, or a lack of compassion. Christ calls His followers to radical love—a love that forgives, restores, and serves without partiality.
For those who recognize themselves in this description, the call is clear: repent and seek the transformative power of the gospel. God’s mercy is abundant, and His grace is sufficient to cleanse even the most hardened heart. Ezekiel 36:26 offers this promise: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Building a Fellowship of Grace
The antidote to the venom of hypocrisy is the gospel lived out in genuine love. As Paul writes, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12, BSB). When the church embodies these virtues, it becomes a place of healing, restoration, and Christ-centered unity.
May we each examine our hearts, seek the Spirit’s transforming work, and strive to be conduits of grace in the fellowship of believers. For in doing so, we reflect the glory of the One who loved us even when we were undeserving—Jesus Christ, our Savior and King.
Moe (our editor and the publisher of Learn-Christ.org) brings clarity and depth to essential biblical themes, aiming to make complex doctrines accessible and impactful for all readers. He is also the creator of pioneering online resources that have made biblical teaching widely available since the early days of the internet.
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