Tell me something, HerrBlucher: If you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think you'd respond to Paul by saying, "Hey, Paul, it's great to be aware of erroneous teaching by some wolves & all, but, Paul, isn't the real question what are the fruits that these wolves-who-dress-like sheep bear? Good fruit or bad?
Defend against? Am I supposed to raise a theological battle whenever I encounter a Mormon? Or an Athiest? Or a Pantheist? Or a Jehovah's witness? Do you? If they proselytize error to me, then I defend my faith back, if they leave me alone and we just talk shop, sports, neighborhood etc, then that is what we do.
No, I don't call them wolves in sheeps clothing out to condemn people to hell. Wow that a Thanksgiving dinner that would be if I did....yikes! And what a day in Church that would be when I encounter Christians of the liberalized variety who hardly even believe in the supernatural, or don't at all.
And yes I judge my friends and family by the fruits they bear. Of course, that is my human judgement for the purpose of establishing, continuing, or rejecting relationships. God's judgement obviously is wholly different and for a different purpose.
You do realize that “ye shall know them by their fruits” is talking about false prophets, not the works of believers, don’t you?
I have several LDS friends and we discuss things other than religion but I still use every opportunity presented me to witness the truth of Christ with them, as I do with my atheist friends, wiccan friends, Jewish friends and even strangers.
Christ changed my life, He changed ME. How can I not share that joy with others and want to have them have that too?
...WHENever...? (I think w/your tone, I'd be satisfied to just here of ONEever)
Or an Athiest? Or a Pantheist? Or a Jehovah's witness? Do you?
The apostle Paul & Jesus approached people distinctly. Read his approach to polytheists on Mars Hill in Acts 17; then looked at how he approached Jewish legalists in Acts 18 & 19. The first place he headed when he came into a new community was to head to the synagogue...where he argued, persuaded, refuted...