False Brethren

2 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV) In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

Galatians 2:4 (KJV) 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:

Many times in our Christian walk we come across people who present themselves as followers of Christ, and yet their life, character, and conduct proves them to be false. Or their doctrine proves them to be false.

The apostle Paul talked about BEING IN PERILS among false brethren (2 Cor. 11:26) - apparently they caused him a great deal of trouble, dangers, and physical harm. He also talked about false brethren SNEAKING INTO CHURCHES to lead people away from grace and into bondage. Paul also warned the Ephesians, “I, know, that there will enter, after my departure, grievous wolves into your midst, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK; and, FROM AMONG YOUR OWN SELVES, men will arise speaking distorted things, to DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).

Not every one who claims to be a Christian is. They simply masquerade as such.

False brethren:

• are to be avoided (Romans 16:17-18)
• one is to have no company with them (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)
• one is to withdraw from them (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
• one is to turn away from them (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
• and one is to reject them (Titus 3:10-11)

To continue in fellowship with those who teach false doctrine, or those who refuse to repent of known sin, or those manifesting the works of the flesh instead of the fruit of the Spirit…. is SIN in ITSELF because it is a willful rejection of the plain words of SCRIPTURE which exhort us to AVOID false brethren.