Jeremiah TiptonFounder in president of David Hernandez ministries

This One Bible Verse Exposes a Religious Spirit

20 Jun 2025 · 2 min

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In this sermon, the speaker examines the biblical warning that on Judgment Day many will claim to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in Jesus' name, only to be rejected with the words, “I never knew you.” He argues that this passage is often used by the devil to frighten believers into doubt, but its true meaning is a warning against a works‑based, performance‑driven spirituality. The speaker explains that those who rely on miraculous works have never truly known salvation because they have not placed their faith in Christ’s finished work. He contrasts this with the assurance given to genuine believers who trust in the free gift of salvation through Christ, not in their own deeds. The message urges listeners to reject the deception that equates spiritual performance with salvation and to rest confidently in faith, thereby avoiding the fear‑inducing misinterpretation of the scripture.

Chapters

One of the most frightening portions of scripture. On Judgment Day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name. But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws. Now, the devil uses this portion of scripture to frighten believers. Many Christians hear this and they're left wondering, is that gonna happen to me? Am I gonna be that one who walks up to the Lord on Judgment Day only to hear those words, depart from me, I never knew you? You see, Christians weren't meant to live in uncertainty. It's the assurance of salvation, not the guesswork of salvation. God wants us to be confident in the salvation that we receive through Christ. Notice that the Lord tells them, I never knew you. That's an important clue because these were people who had never known salvation. Well, how then were they able to do miracles? Well, they preached the Word of God, and the Word of God is backed by God's power, but only his people are backed by his presence. Now, Look further, because their defense is quite revealing. When the Lord rejects them, they don't say, but Lord, we received the free gift of salvation. They don't say, Lord, but we put our faith in Jesus. What do they say? We prophesied in your name. We cast out demons in your name. We performed many miracles in your name. In other words, they were relying upon their works to save them. They thought their performance is what would guarantee them entry into the kingdom of God. So as a born-again believer, you have assurance when you stand before the Father God that you will be accepted because you placed your faith in Christ's work, not your own. So don't allow the devil to use portions of scripture like this to deceive you into second-guessing your salvation.