What Are Some False Appeals for Evangelism and Discipleship?

Summary

Grace in Focus | Grace Evangelical Society
Episode: What Are Some False Appeals for Evangelism and Discipleship?
Date: March 24, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin & Ken Yates

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the pitfalls of using non-biblical jargon and popular phrases in Christian evangelism and discipleship. Bob Wilkin and guest Ken Yates dissect common expressions that, while widespread in evangelical circles, are not found in Scripture and often confuse or misrepresent core doctrines of justification and sanctification. They emphasize the vital distinction between evangelism (how one is saved) and discipleship (how one grows as a believer), challenging listeners to ground their language and practices firmly in biblical truth.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Prevalence and Problem of Evangelical Jargon

• Many Christians use words and phrases not found in the Bible; these can become “false appeals” in both evangelism and discipleship (01:12-01:53).
• Such jargon can inadvertently mislead people about the requirements for salvation and spiritual growth.

2. “Surrender to Christ” – Not in the Bible

• The phrase “surrender to Christ” is commonly used but never appears in the New Testament (01:53-02:08).
• Bob Wilkin: “I was surprised to find out it doesn’t even occur in the New Testament.” (01:53)
• Ken Yates: “Never.” (02:08)

Misuse in Evangelism and Discipleship

• Calls to “surrender” are often misplaced—either as a requirement for salvation (evangelism) or for spiritual growth (discipleship)—and both uses can be problematic (02:47-03:06).
• Ken Yates: “Both would be wrong.” (03:05)
• The biblical requirement for salvation is belief in Christ for everlasting life (John 6:28-29, John 3:16), not acts of surrender or submission.

3. Example from Scripture: Naaman and Misplaced Effort

• Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5) illustrates how people look for complicated or strenuous requirements, yet God asks for faith, not achievement (03:23-04:21).
• Ken Yates: “If you think the way to be born again is by surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ…and then you find out that what Jesus said is, ‘He who believes in me has everlasting life.’” (04:21-04:49)
• The takeaway: Faith in Christ, not accomplishment or dramatic acts, is what saves.

4. Discipleship Terminology: Dedication, Commitment, and Rededication

• Phrases like “I dedicate my life” or “I rededicate my life” are also non-biblical and based on flawed assumptions about spiritual growth (05:41-06:02).
• Ken Yates: “The scriptures do not teach that we grow and mature in the faith by some level of dedication or commitment.” (06:02)
• Growth comes not from effort alone but by the renewal of the mind through God’s Word (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)—being regularly exposed to and shaped by Scripture within the believing community (06:02-06:37).

5. The Futility of Human Effort Without Mind Renewal

• Ken Yates: “You can be dedicated till the cows come home, but if you’re not getting the word of God into your mind and having it change your thinking, all the dedication and commitment in the world isn’t going to sanctify you.” (07:12)
• Parallels are drawn to New Year’s resolutions—short-lived bursts of effort are no substitute for ongoing transformation by the Spirit through God’s Word (07:26-07:35).

6. The “Spiritual Disciplines” and Legalism

• The term “spiritual disciplines” is not found in Scripture; while practices like prayer, Bible reading, and meditation are valuable, these are not guaranteed means to spiritual maturity (08:14-08:52).
• Legalistically “checking boxes” (e.g., reading a set number of chapters daily) can distract from true spiritual engagement and formation (08:52-09:26).

7. “Let go and let God” – Kessick Theology Examined

• While it’s true we need God’s strength, phrases like “let go and let God” or “don’t try, rely” oversimplify the Christian life. Paul models both effort and reliance—believers are called to work hard in dependence on God’s provision (09:26-11:14).
• Ken Yates: “It’s not ‘don’t try, rely’—it’s try as you rely, or it’s not ‘let go and let God,’ it’s go and let God.” (09:31)

8. Problematic Evangelistic Phrases:

• “Invite Jesus into your heart,” “make him Lord of your life,” and “walk the aisle” are all common but unbiblical—and are actually counterproductive to clear gospel proclamation (11:14-11:59).
• Ken Yates: “The problem with all three is these actually are counterproductive. They move people away from what they need to do to be born again. They need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (11:31)
• “Inviting Jesus in” becomes “magic thinking” and confuses people regarding faith and saving response (12:03-12:18).
• Bob Wilkin: “Even the TV evangelists say, now repeat this prayer after me. … It’s bad. The Lord Jesus never did that and the apostles never did that.” (12:23-12:29)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We grow in the faith by being part of the believing community, being in a local assembly, and hearing the word of God taught week in and week out. … It’s not I transform my behavior and then my mind follows. It’s the other way around.” – Ken Yates (06:02-06:37)
• “You can be dedicated till the cows come home, but if you’re not getting the word of God into your mind and having it change your thinking, ... all the dedication and commitment in the world isn’t going to sanctify you.” – Ken Yates (07:12-07:26)
• “It’s not ‘don’t try, rely’—it’s try as you rely, or it’s not ‘let go and let God,’ it’s go and let God.” – Ken Yates (09:31)
• “When Paul’s asked, what must they do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. And these three [phrases], inviting him in is not believing in Jesus Christ.” – Ken Yates (11:31-11:52)
• “All of that is some kind of works righteousness. Even the inviting you into my heart. What that is is magic thinking, right? Oh, okay. You mean if I say the special words. So give me the magic words. Right?” – Ken Yates (12:03-12:18)
• “The Lord Jesus never did that and the apostles never did that.” – Bob Wilkin (12:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:12] – Introduction of main topic: Evangelical jargon not found in Scripture
• [01:53] – “Surrender to Christ” phrase examined
• [04:21] – Naaman and the simplicity of faith
• [05:41] – “Dedicated/Rededicate my life” and the actual path of spiritual growth
• [07:12] – The futility of dedication without mind renewal
• [08:14] – “Spiritual disciplines” and legalistic practices
• [09:26] – “Let go and let God” phrase and Kessick theology
• [11:14] – Problematic evangelistic phrases: “Invite Jesus into your heart,” etc.
• [12:03] – “Magic thinking” in popular evangelicalism
• [12:29] – Apostolic practice and biblical clarity on the gospel

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Takeaway

The episode advises Christians to avoid jargon and phrases that blur the lines between justification (how to be saved) and sanctification (how to grow). The scriptural call is to believe in Christ for salvation and to grow by having the mind renewed through exposure to God’s Word—not through self-effort, dedication, or magic words. The hosts urge listeners to use biblical language and trust the sufficiency of Scripture in both evangelism and discipleship.

Transcript

[A]

The following is a listener supported ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society. Christians are often guilty of using evangelical jargon. What are some of the words, phrases, misused expressions we use as Christians that are not in the Bible? Where do they come from? How do they end up as false appeals for evangelism and discipleship? How do evangelism and discipleship get mixed up so much? Hey friend, we're glad you're joining us today. This is Grace in Focus and and it is a ministry of the Grace Evangelical Society. Our web site is faithalone.org we are inviting all of our friends to come and join us at our national annual conference. It is happening in May, coming up soon, May 18th through the 21st. Get all the information you need, get registered first timers, waive the registration fee plan to come and be with us for this wonderful time of fellowship and teaching. VBS for the kids. Get the information you [e-mail] and now with today's question and answer discussion, here is Bob Wilkin along with Ken Yates.

[B]

Bob, we got a question from John. What he says is he wants to talk about this issue of using words or expressions that are not in the scriptures. I would add they become part of evangelical jargon. We hear them all the time.

[C]

So he's basically talking about misusing expressions that aren't really biblical and don't actually reflect what the Bible teaches.

[B]

Right. Or even using discipleship phrases for evangelism,

[C]

you know, or using improper discipleship phrases.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Lots of people have incorrect ideas on what we need to do to grow and mature in the faith.

[B]

Right. He mentions one in particular. He talks about the phrase surrender to Christ. I remember a few years ago that came up in a Bible study I was in. Even I was surprised to find out it doesn't even occur in the New Testament.

[C]

Never.

[B]

No, it doesn't occur. But I mean, how often do we hear it? You know, even the song I Surrender All, I Surrender All. As I remember, the word surrender doesn't even occur in the New Testament. Now I'm sure some people would say, well, the concept does, well, deny yourself,

[C]

take up your cross and follow me. I get it there. But it doesn't say surrender.

[B]

Right, but we use that phrase all the time. And so John is asking the question, shouldn't that be a warning to us that we're using these phrases like surrender to Christ? Now we just talked about evangelism or discipleship. When we hear that, what does the person mean by that?

[C]

Well, exactly. And what I would say when they say surrender To Christ. One question I would have is, are they saying to do that in order to be born again?

[B]

Well, that's what I'm saying.

[C]

Yeah. Or are they saying, surrender to Christ in order to grow and mature as a Christian?

[B]

Right.

[C]

I would say both would be wrong.

[B]

Yeah, I do, too.

[C]

The second is wrong only because it has the wrong idea. Of course, if you understand it right, surrendering to Christ could even be right for evangelism. If by that you mean remember, what was the name of the Syrian general? Wasn't it Naaman?

[B]

Yes, Naaman.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

And he second Kings 5. Right.

[C]

All right. And he comes to the prophet. Is that Elijah. He comes to Elisha.

[B]

Elisha.

[C]

So he comes to Elisha, and he wants to be healed from leprosy. He's heard that he can heal him. And so what does Elisha tell him he's supposed to do?

[B]

Go dip in the Jordan.

[C]

How many times?

[B]

Seven times.

[C]

Okay. And what is Naaman's response?

[B]

He goes, there's better rivers. Well, first off, he's mad because Elisha didn't come out to meet him. Elijah sent somebody to tell him. He doesn't even come out himself. And he's got all this money he's going to give him, and he's coming from the king with these letters and all these other things. Elisha didn't come out, and he's saying,

[C]

look, we got better rivers back in Syria. And then what do his men say?

[B]

Well, you've come all this way. Why not do what the man told you to do?

[C]

Yeah. And didn't they say, if he had given you something hard to do, wouldn't you have done it?

[B]

Right.

[C]

And so if he gives you something easy to do, why don't you do it? So he goes to the Jordan, he dips seven times, and lo and behold, he's healed.

[B]

Exactly.

[C]

Well, if you think that the way to be born again is. Is by surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ. And in your view, that means obeying him and doing all the hard things. And then you find out that what Jesus said is, he who believes in me has everlasting life. And when he's asked, what works must we do that we may work the works of God. John 6:28. His answer is, this is the work singular that you believe whom he sent.

[B]

Right.

[C]

So in an evangelistic sense, to surrender to Jesus is to believe in him for everlasting life. And to give up my crazy thinking that somehow by following him and serving him, I can somehow merit eternal life.

[B]

I remember as a boy Being in Baptist churches, and when I heard them sing I Surrender all, that's not what I remember thinking. And that's not what the people.

[C]

That's not what John means here either. He's saying when he hears that, it bothers him. It bothers me, too. But my point is, that's also not the way we're sanctified. The way we're sanctified is by having God take the word of God and renewing our minds. Romans 12:2 or 2 Corinthians 3:18. This would be one example of a bad appeal or language that's actually imposed. But you've got some more examples connected to that.

[B]

When people use the word, I'm dedicated or I'm committed to serve him.

[C]

Okay, I've heard that a lot. And people say, you know, you need to be determined. You need to be dedicated. You need to be.

[B]

Oh, wait a second. How about this? I. I rededicate my life.

[C]

I rededicate my life.

[B]

Oh, I hear that.

[C]

Not all I dedicated, but now I'm rededicating.

[B]

Rededicating. There's another phrase.

[C]

Yeah, well, the problem with all of that is the scriptures do not teach that we grow and mature in the faith by some level of dedication or commitment. We grow in the faith by being part of the believing community, being in a local assembly, and hearing the word of God taught week in and week out. And my mind is renewed. And when my mind is renewed, then Paul says my behavior is transformed.

[B]

Right, Right.

[C]

It's not I transform my behavior and then my mind follows. It's the other way around.

[A]

It's coming. It'll be here before you know it. What am I talking about? The Grace Evangelical Society's National Conference 2026, May 18th through the 21st at Camp Koppas, an absolutely beautiful campground in North Texas. Right. Lake with lots of recreation, great food, a great place to stay, wonderful fellowship and wonderful free Grace Bible teaching. Information and online registration [e-mail] events. First timers waive registration fees. Faithalone.org events.

[C]

You can be dedicated till the cows come home, but if you're not getting the word of God into your mind and having it change your thinking, or all the dedication and commitment in the world isn't going to sanctify you.

[B]

It reminds me of New Year's resolutions. Yeah, I'm going to make a new dedication now. This year I'm going to start off.

[C]

And you know how long they say those last? About a week.

[B]

That's right. And so instead of being Transformed by the renewing of our minds. As you just said, we're going through this rigmarole where I'm going to rededicate myself or surrender myself. Evangelicals use these phrases.

[C]

Now, I have no problem with someone saying, lord, I want to please you today, Lord, I love you, Lord, I want to please you. That's fine. But I know that's not the basis of my growing in the faith. The basis of my growing in the faith is God giving me the mind of Christ. First Corinthians 2:16. God changing my thinking. And as my mind is renewed, my behavior follows. That's why Christianity is basically a battle for our minds.

[B]

What about the spiritual disciplines? We use that phrase a lot.

[C]

Practice the spiritual discipline.

[B]

Practice the spiritual. Is that a biblical term?

[C]

Have a quiet time. I know people say, well, Daniel prayed so many times a day and David prayed so many times a day. We have calls in, for example, Psalm 119 to meditate on God's word, et cetera. Well, sure, all those things are important. Prayer is important. Meditation is important. Bible reading is important. Hearing the Bible taught is important. Singing and worship is all important. But there's nothing in Scripture that says if I do those things, that's going to guarantee that I mature in the faith.

[B]

And if I do it in a legalistic manner, I'm guaranteed.

[C]

I know.

[B]

You know, if I say, okay, I want to read so many verses today, I did it today. I check that off.

[C]

Quick story. I've told this before, but Art Forsted had a guy in his church that thought he had to read 10 chapters of the Bible a day. And when Art was preaching, this guy was reading his scripture because he couldn't keep up with the 10 chapters a day. And so Art, one of the great Bible teachers of all time, he wasn't listening to him because he had some legalistic. Where in the Bible does that we have to read 10 chapters a day or even one chapter a day? It doesn't.

[B]

Now what about the phrase let go and let God or don't try rely?

[C]

Yeah, that's called Kessick theology and there's some truth in it. We are to realize that God gives us the strength to obey him. But it's wrong in the sense that Paul says the hard working farmer ought to receive the first fruits of the harvest. And, and Paul says, I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith. Clearly there's effort involved in the Christian life and hard effort involved in the Christian life. It's not, don't try rely it's try as you rely, or it's not let go and let God. It's go and let God. But we're told by Peter that he has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness. So we know that God has given us what we need to to do what he calls us to do. So we shouldn't go about, woe is me, I need to somehow let go. You know, people say he's the hand and we're the glove. And so we just kind of let go. And he does it well. Remember the story of the farmer and the pastor's a new pastor at this rural church and he goes out to meet the farmer and he said, my, this is a wonderful farm that God has given you. And the farmer who works 16 hour days almost all year round is somewhat miffed. And he said, yeah, it really is, Pastor. But you should have seen it when God had it all by himself, because it almost sounds like the man didn't do anything.

[B]

Well, it's interesting, you know, Paul at the end of his life says, I have kept the faith, I have finished the course. Paul would have recognized that it was the power of Christ that did it. But Paul had a say so in

[C]

it he said, I've been crucified as Christ and it's no longer I who live, but the life which I live in the flesh. I live by faith. Both are true.

[B]

In the last minute we have here, let's just talk about phrases that are used in evangelism. I'm just going to read three of them. Invite Jesus into your heart, make him Lord of your life. None of these phrases are in the Bible. And then walk the aisle. Okay.

[C]

The problem with all three is these actually are counterproductive. They move people away from what they need to do to be born again. They need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Right. When Paul's asked, what must they do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. And these three, inviting him in is not believing in Jesus Christ.

[B]

Then I think that because I've said this prayer, he's in my heart now. Or because I've walked the aisle. Okay. I've confessed him or whatever.

[C]

Or because I've made him Lord of my life.

[B]

Right, Whatever that means.

[C]

Yeah. All of that is some kind of works. Righteousness.

[B]

Absolutely.

[C]

Even the inviting you into my heart. What that is is magic thinking, right? Oh, okay. You mean if I say the special words. So give me the magic words. Right?

[B]

Right.

[C]

But you can't find the magic words in the Bible so that will make up sinners prayers. Right?

[B]

Right. Even the TV evangelists say now repeat this prayer after me. And so people just it's bad.

[C]

The Lord Jesus never did that and the apostles never did that.

[B]

John, you're right. There's a lot of these verses or a lot of these phrases and words that are not in the Bible. And we biblical in our thinking and in our communication. So thanks for the question John. And remember, keep Grace in focus.

[A]

Would you be interested in some free ebooks on topics you hear on this program? Well, if you are, you need to come Visit [e-mail] that's faithalone.org we would love to hear from you. Maybe you've got a question, comment or some feedback. If you do, please don't hesitate to send us a message. Here's our email address. It's radioaithalone.org that's radioaithalone.org and when you do very important. Please let us know your radio station call letters and the city of your location on our next episode. What will the Eternal state be like? We're going to speculate just a little bit. It'll be fun. Please join us. And until then, let's keep grace in focus.

[B]

The proceeding has been a listener supported

[A]

ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society.