Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Cor. 11:3, 4)

Another Jesus? Obviously, there’s only one true Jesus, so what did Paul mean? Essentially, he was warning about a false Christ. But notice carefully that Paul wasn’t worried that a literal false Messiah would physically walk up to his Corinthian converts claiming to be Jesus Himself. Not at all! Instead, he was worried that someone might come to them preaching a false view of Christ that is actually quite different from the real Jesus Himself.

How can we avoid such a mental deception? The only way is by carefully studying what the Holy Bible really teaches about the true Jesus, and then by believing what we read. Only then can we avoid accepting “another Jesus” who may be more pleasing to our carnal desires.

According to God’s Book, the real Jesus is “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). But He is more than just a Savior. After washing His disciple’s dirty feet, Jesus informed them, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). Thus Jesus is not only our Savior, but also our example. Peter later affirmed this truth when he wrote: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin…” (1 Peter 2:21, 22). Take note of Peter’s words. The real Jesus is not only our Savior, but is also “our example” in avoiding sin. He wants to save us from sin so that we may become like Him.

When Jesus Christ walked this earth, He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). This passage says that just as we are tempted, so was Jesus tempted “in all points.” Jesus knows by experience what temptation is like. To use a modern phrase, “He’s been there and done that.” Yet each time Jesus was tempted, He promptly said “No!” to Satan.

Now here’s something deep to ponder: When Jesus was “tempted as we are,” what was happening in His heart? Did He desire to sin, but then resist it, or did He despise sin because of its inherent sinfulness? In other words, if Jesus was here today, would He crave a beer, but just not drink it? Would He long for a cigarette, but just not smoke? Would He really want to view that immoral TV program, or visit that porn website, but just resist the temptation? No. Speaking of “the Son,” the Bible says, “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness” (Hebrews 1:8, 9). Thus Jesus Christ said “No!” to Satan because He “hated” sin itself. It held no attractions for Him. It didn’t pull on His heart strings. He understood sin’s ugliness, and He despised it. Now remember, Jesus is our example, “that you should follow in His steps.”

There are four basic groups of people today. The first group, which the majority of human beings are in, is made up of people who sin everyday simply because the enjoy sinning. “If it feels good, do it,” is their motto. The second group is composed of countless professed Christians who don’t really want to live in sin, but they keep sinning anyway because they just can’t seem to resist the world, the flesh, and the devil. Then they feel guilty. This is a miserable existence, filled with shame and remorse. The third group is made up of Christians who still crave certain sins in their hearts, but in the strength of Jesus they say, “Get behind me Satan!” This is definitely an improvement, and reveals the Holy Spirit’s leading, yet it does not reflect God’s perfect will for His blood-bought children. To be a member of the fourth group should be the goal of every true follower of Jesus Christ. Are you ready for it? It is made up of All-To-Jesus-I-Surrender Saints who daily resist sin because they hate it, just like Jesus Christ did. This is God’s will for us. This is the desire of the real Jesus.  

The sad story is told of a missionary husband and wife who gave birth to a baby boy while residing inside a mud hut deep in the Amazon jungle. One evening the mother and father kissed their little one goodnight, said their prayers, and went to bed. In the dark of night, a tiny snake entered their humble dwelling and slithered into the child’s crib. One small bite on the neck was all it took. The boy hardly felt it; he never made a sound, yet the poison did its deadly work. In the morning, the parents discovered to their horror that their precious son was without sight, sound, or breath. Their grief was beyond words. Upon examining their dead child, they beheld two small holes in his tiny neck. Looking upward, the father then saw the snake curled up on a shelf above the crib. Filled with a hatred only a bereaved parent can know, he grabbed a nearby club and beat that snake again, again, and again until its head and body were utterly crushed – until it was as lifeless as the child he loved.

Get the point? Dear friend, do you realize how serious sin is? Jesus Christ did. He didn’t resist sin as one who longed for it. Not on your life. The truth is that the real Jesus avoided sin because He “loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness.” With a passion for purity we can never fully understand, Jesus Christ despised sin because it ruined countless angels, destroys people that He loves, and would even eventually separate Him from His Father.  

The real Jesus longs to so fully convert us, to so fully change our hearts, that we will resist sin because we hate it too. On the cross, sin killed our Savior. If we love Him, we will resist temptation just like He did.

This is what the real Jesus is calling us to. Do you personally want to reach this state – by His grace? If not, you have accepted “another Jesus.”