Falsely accusing the brethren

In the early years of our ministry of trying to help local churches with their youth ministry we ran across individuals and churches who were geared for battle. Much like in Joshua chapter 22 they were quick to receive hearsay and pass it on as fact. Many times, anyone who disagreed with them would be labeled as neo-evangelical and treated as “an enemy.” They would be quick to criticize different individuals or groups for what they were doing without having the facts or knowing the real motives or reasons for what they were doing. We are instructed to put on the armor of God and fight against the enemy, Satan (Eph. 6:11). We certainly do not want to compromise or concede to the enemy in any way, but we need to be moderate and flexible when dealing with our brethren. Even when a brother is in error, we should not be quick to shoot him down, but do our best to help him by giving some firm and gentle direction. I believe many will be judged for falsely accusing the brethren. (Lou Nicholes, Joshua, Conquest of the Promised Land, 2004).