1. “God Loves the Sinner but hates the sin.”

This plays into gnostic thinking... the idea that the spirit and soul is unaffected by the physical senses and actions. It is separating the sin from the sinner. But the Bible doesn’t separate them. It is the sinner that God will judge and punish. Col 3:6 & Eph 5:6 tell us that The wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient (person).

2. “God is for you not against you."

This makes them feel good about themselves rather than guilty for their sin. It sounds like God has nothing against them. The Bible says “the wrath of God abides on them.” When Nahum prophesied against Ninevah, the Lord said “I Am against you…” (2:13 / 3:5) What changed that? REPENTANCE.

Romans 2:2 …the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

The scriptures reveal what it is that sinners have going against them in Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (the Law) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” So before we were in Christ, God was against us because of the Law. That is still the case for sinners… God is against them until they come to faith in Jesus Christ.

If unbeliever’s feel God has nothing against them, it’s often because they see no immediate judgement and believe God is thinking like they are… that everything is fine…. But the following passage describes God’s response to such a notion:

Psalm 50:21 "These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face."

Of course we understand that they have something going for them they are currently unaware of… mercy and grace which comes through faith in Jesus Christ. But that must be explained. Never assume that a sinner will understand a cliché like “God is for you, not against you.”

3. “God doesn’t send people to hell, you send yourself to hell.”

This is an unscriptural statement. It must be made clear that God will exact justice directly upon those who die in their sin. It will be by His hand that they are punished and their punishment will be a fair and just sentence. Using this statement removes the fear of the Lord and any hope of the sinner being struck with conviction and dread over his sinful condiction. The following are only a few of the many scriptures which reveal that God will send people to hell:

Luke 12:5 "I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell."

Psalm 9:17 "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

When illustrating that the soul has more value than the eye, Jesus uses the term, “…cast into hell.” (Mat. 5:29).

4. “Eternal Separation from God”.

Eph 4:18 tells us they are already separated from the life of God. Eternal separation from God will not sound threatening to those who already feel that, especially annihilationists… atheists and agnostics who don’t believe in an afterlife. In fact to those who dislike God, that sounds inviting. People have their own definition of what that means. They don’t equate that with punishment. You start talking about hell, then you get their attention.

5. “Just ask God to forgive you and He will.”

Asking forgiveness is not enough. They must repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ before they can receive forgiveness. The Law demands justice be served… and justice demands a punishment. What sinners need is redemption… an advocate. One to stand in their defense… to be punished on their behalf.

6. “God will accept you as you are.”

Sometime this statement is made in order to convince sinners to "come as they are". Howver, it's a dangerous thing to say in an idolotrous society that lacks knowledge and understanding of God's true character. Acceptance is conditional upon repentance and faith. There are very definite conditions under which God will accept sinners...

Psalm 24:4-5 Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.

Under what conditions will He accept and receive us?

2 Cor. 6:17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”