The apostle Paul spoke of problems he faced because of false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:26). These were those who tried to withstand the Truth of God by teaching doctrines from their own imagination. The conflict over circumcision as recorded in Acts 15 is an example, and the letter Paul wrote to the Galatians shows how pervasive this false teaching was.
 
Jesus, in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30), reveals that not everyone within the Church of God fellowship would be of the same mind. Still, even with these warnings considered, we are also to understand that the Church is comprised of true brethren!
 
The calling from God that leads us to become His begotten children also establishes us as brethren. In fact, we are now brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ (compare Hebrews 2:12-13).
 
We can test ourselves by taking our lead from the Word of God. An especially challenging presentation for us is in Romans 12. If we are actively following these instructions, then we are fulfilling the requirements to be counted among those who are true brethren.
 
Of special note is verse 10: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…”
 
You know, every once in a while we need to be reminded to do this in more deliberate ways. We have the opportunity to assemble together on the weekly Sabbath and the annual Feast Days to help us develop within the Family of God—that is, to grow in godliness toward one another.
 
In spite of those who contended with him, Paul kept his focus on the true brethren, and what he wrote finds its full application even today:
 
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer…” (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5).

There is an old rhyme which says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me.”

From one standpoint, this is true—if we don’t allow ourselves to take offence at what others may say to or about us. However, words are powerful, and they can dramatically affect our lives. The Word of God gives abundant instruction concerning the words we use and the kind of fruit they bear. Note this admonition:

“An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:27-28).

The apostle James states, “For we all stumble in many things, If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a [mature] man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). James continues, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity” (verse 6); and, “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (verse 8). He also warns us:

“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” (James 4:11-12).

How do we apply this instruction from God? How can we really begin to do what we are taught regarding the words we speak? The answer is that we must think before we speak. Even more foundational is the fact that we must learn to think right thoughts and here is what Paul said to those in Philippi:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

In the days ahead, test yourself and practice thinking this way. Don’t imagine raging thoughts of hatred filled with anger and revenge—don’t even think this way! Rather, think godly thoughts so that your words will reflect the light of Christ in everything you say!

It would appear that no one lives or tells the truth–not our leaders in politics, not in business or not even in religion! Finding someone who is willing to put it all on the line for the sake of the truth is the rarest of exceptions! How many retractions, explanations or other justifications do we hear about in our daily lives when liars are found out and exposed?

God long ago issued an indictment against the world for its rejection of His Truth. In particular, His disapproval for the modern Houses of Israel and Judah—who should know better—fill prophecies relevant for our time:

“For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with us, And as for our iniquities, we know them: In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice” (Isaiah 59:12-15).

Have you departed from evil—really? Are you persecuted—as Jesus was—for righteousness sake? Are you tormented “from day to day by seeing and hearing… lawless deeds” (2 Peter 2:8)?

More importantly, have any of us let truth fall in our own lives? We are implicitly warned that even some within the Church of God would reject truth! Note what Paul wrote:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

This has happened, and so it continues, that the Truth of God has fallen in the lives of some who have been called to salvation! Will you continue in the Truth? Will you be among the very few—the elect—who will be willing to uphold God’s Way of living at all cost?

As we watch the virtual collapse of morality and the rise of unspeakable evil in the world, our hope must focus on the unbreakable promise of God–that He will send His Son, Jesus Christ, to establish a Kingdom of righteousness in which truth shall never fall or fail!