Deeper Life #272

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.

—Galatians 2:4

WHAT ARE WE TO DO with false accusers? The Bible comments, “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1). There is a time to smite and a time to smile. There is a time to slay and thrust straight home to the heart of the wrongdoers, “to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour.” Why? That our views might be expounded? No. That they might be detected as hypocrites? No. So that the true gospel might continue within us!

Do you remember what the apostle Paul said to the Ephesians, when he mentioned their godly “conversation”? “See that it is good building-up stuff” is the literal translation of what he said (Ephesians 4:29). Not sanctimonious talk, but solid truth makes people stronger—stronger in the Word of God, stronger in character, and stronger in practical life. Yet even the truth should be spoken in love.

Prayer Thought: Lord, give me grace to show love toward nitpickers and false accusers.

SUGGESTED READING: Galatians 2:1–9