The coworkers in North America have recently released a group of articles at ShepherdingWords.com to address the negative speaking that has become more prevalent on the internet and the college campuses in the US. These articles are enlightening and helpful in equipping the saints to respond to the groundless attacks instigated by the enemy which frustrate the growth of young believers. Please consider taking the time to read through them with a prayerful spirit and a heart open to the Lord for His shining (links and excerpts below).
No one likes to be misunderstood, much less to be the target of unfounded rumors and false accusations. Opposition to our gospel work may surprise us when we first encounter it, followed by disappointment when we learn that the purveyors of rumors and accusations against us are predominantly our fellow believers in Christ. However, we should expect such opposition.
Why We Read and Promote the Ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee
Sometimes we who meet in the local churches are asked why we read and promote the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. The asker may imply that doing so is wrong. When we are asked such a question, we should not become defensive but rather explain why we appreciate the ministry of these two servants of the Lord so much.
A Warning about Rumors and False Witness
In recent years we have seen the growing influence of social media, an increasingly lawless arena in which false accusations are plentiful, rumors are abundant, and accountability is rare. It is a serious error to accept accusations against fellow believers without confirming their veracity, but it is even more serious to pass on such things to others. We should all heed the Bible’s strong words against bearing false witness (making false accusations) and spreading rumors (repeating stories of uncertain or doubtful veracity). Instead, we should exercise great care in what we speak.
Some saints—including full-time serving ones, students, and others—may have incorrect concepts concerning how those in the local churches should work on the college campuses. For that reason, it is good to review some basic principles and the way in which the ministry of our brother Witness Lee speaks concerning how to carry out this service to the Lord.
Concerning Inoculation – “We Told You Beforehand”
First Thessalonians 3:4 shows us that the apostles practiced inoculating the believers under their care to equip them so that when affliction came they would not be “shaken” by the “tempter,” Satan (v. 3, 5). In speaking of the coming afflictions, verse three says in part, “for you yourselves know that we are appointed for this.” The believers in Thessalonica could “know” this because the apostle Paul had previously warned them, saying, “we told you beforehand that we are to be afflicted” (v. 4). The Greek word translated told in this verse is in the imperfect tense, indicating that Paul repeatedly told them.