As believers it can be disheartening when we face failure.  But when we take the time to reflect on the causes of our setbacks, we are given fresh grace and renewed strength to persevere and eventually succeed.

Imposters

We all know that the wrong company can corrupt good morals, but there is a certain company of people you must beware of.  They are false Christians who enter your life as imposters with the motive to sabotage your call in Christ. 

Paul called these people false brethren.  They are individuals who infiltrate the church with destructive agendas, aiming to distort the gospel, sow division, and draw disciples after themselves.  They are often deceptive, presenting themselves as righteous or even as apostles of Christ, but their intentions are to lead others away from the truth.  Jesus called them ravenous wolves who comes in sheep clothing (Matthew 7:15).

False brethren are marked by their selfishness, doctrinal errors, and ungodly behaviour.  Jude warns us of these imposters who creep into our households unnoticed to turn our hearts away from Christ (Jude 1:4-22).   Some of them are sexual predators and come to fulfil their own sexual lusts.  He calls them spots in our love feasts – that means that they are able to shipwreck your faith.  They don’t have the fear of God and serve only themselves.  These imposters are clouds without water – they know the Word but cannot practise it.  They have the speech but not the walk.  They are trees without fruit.  These imposters are “twice dead” which means that they have once responded to the Gospel but now have gone back to apostacy.  They are not rooted in Christ.  Like Korah, they aspire for co-equality with leadership.   They are grumblers, always complaining and always flattering people to gain something.  Be careful of these false brethren who are always mocking us and causing division amongst us.  They do not have the Spirit.  

Another example in Scripture is Shemaiah’s betrayal of Nehemiah. He was bribed to assassinate Nehemiah to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.  In the same way these imposters may even rise from within the church, causing dissension, with the goal to get you to quit what God has called you to do. 

It is important to discern false brethren to protect your journey in Christ.  Examine their actions and outcomes; consider who they align themselves with; pay attention to their speech and doctrine; observe how they handle trials and persecution; and determine whether they build up or tear down others.  

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. – Jude 1:20-23