Can you recognize a wolf in sheep's clothing? Here are some signs to prevent false bretheren from making you stumble in your walk with the Lord.
Real: The focus is outside the person
False: The focus is inward
Real: The mind is on what is pleasing to the Lord
False: The mind is on what pleases self and the world
Real: Rejoices in suffering for the right reasons
False: Creates suffering for the wrong reasons
Real: Focus is on what is
False: Focus on what seems
Real: Thinking increasingly on the eternal
False: Thinking fixed on the temporal
Real: Sees the Lord's admonition as a blessing
False: Sees the Lord's admonition as an attack upon temporal comfort
Real: Loves godly people because they are godly
False: Doesn't inwardly like godly people
Real: Rejoices with the truth
False: Rejoices in fellowship with false religion
Real: Speaks and edifies for the benefit of all
False: Speaks privately, seeking strength in numbers
Real: Is forthright
False: Is subversive
Real: Conforms to God's will & word; shuns false, enslaving doctrines as legalism
False: Expects God to conform to own will, and reinterprets scripture, deeming strict obedience as legalism
Real: Encourages the weak
False: condemns the weak
Real: Edifies others in order to serve
False: Flatters others in order to gain
Real: Sees service and righteousness as duties, done to please God and build others up
False: Sees service and righteousness as own personal goodness, done to gain something temporal
Real: Seeks to create unity amongst the saints and be separate from the world
False: Seeks to be unified with the world at the expense of the truth
Real: Lives a more-or-less consistent life before the Lord
False: Lives a divided life
Real: Repents of sin, looking for ways to destroy it
False: Justifies sin, looking for ways to keep it
Real: Not easily fooled by appearances
False: Easily decieved by appearances
Real: Seeks strength in the truth
False: Seeks strength in numbers
Real: Concerned with how things are
False: Concerned with how things look
Real: Publically defends
False: Secretly destroys
Thanks, will be helpful
Brother Love
