The final two inconclusive signs are shorter but no less significant.
3. Just because other people think your religious affections are genuine is no sure sign.
Yes, it is right and appropriate and helpful to get confirmation from others in the body of Christ as they are able to encourage us and help us identify signs of grace. However, there are a few reasons why affirmation from others cannot be foolproof.
First, it is ultimately impossible to infallibly know another person’s heart. All we can see is the external. And while that enables us to know a lot in many cases, that knowledge is never perfect or omniscient. It is hard to distinguish between the wheat and the tares at a certain point in the growing season. Besides, God does not need or seek input from others as He judges the genuineness of our affections. He is the one with whom we have to do.
Second, the other person could be immature. They might not have much wisdom or discernment or experience in these things. Asking an illiterate person if you are reading well is probably not going to furnish useful feedback.
Third, the other person might be deceived about their own condition. They might be on that same broad road too, and patting each other on the back isn’t going to change the destination.
Fourth, the other person might be giving you the benefit of the doubt in charity/love. Edwards wrote,
When there are many probable appearances of piety in others, it is the duty of the saints to receive them cordially into charity, and to love them and rejoice in them as their brethren in Christ. (p.111)
And if we are to accept those appearances, but those appearances are excellent counterfeits, we may not be able to spot the difference. Just because God helps us love someone doesn’t mean He isn’t helping us love a hypocrite.
In the worst case scenario, you may have the common influences of the Holy Spirit, joined with the delusions of Satan, and a wicked and deceitful heart. It might manifest itself in a sweet nature, a good doctrinal knowledge, and a long acquaintance with the common way Christians talk. You may have everyone fooled, but the confidence of others about your soul is no sure sign.
