by Ken Thomas
Have you ever bought an old car with a shiny paint job only to find that the paint was cover for hidden damage and inferior repairs? When you find rotten wood in your house, would you want the bad materials painted over without being repaired? At times we are much wiser in dealing with these matters than with spiritual defects.
The Bible speaks of those who were "hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you," Jude 1:12 ASV, evidently a reference to the ungodly people of vs. 4 who came among the faithful Christians as they enjoyed their meals together in the early days of the church. Jude did not white-wash the fact that the evil men would try to undermine the church. Those who wish to spread false doctrine or evil ways of life would prefer to be seen as "ministers of righteousness" as they serve Satan, a false "angel of light," 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. The church has always had to deal with false brethren who come in privily (secretly), Galatians 2:4; 2 Peter 2:1.
While we do not want to be suspicious of others, neither should we be gullible. Both truth and error exist and have their proponents. Let us love truth while hating every false way, Psalms 119:104.