BROTHER_FANG FEN_QI SISTER_JIANG SISTER_XIN SISTER_ZHI FEN QI It happened in August 2019. FEN QI Sister Lin, the leader of a church, wrote a resignation letter, FEN QI and my leader arranged for me to go to this church to investigate. FEN QI If Sister Lin really couldn't do practical work, she would be dismissed and there would be a new election. FEN QI After I arrived, the deacons there told me about Sister Lin's situation. FEN QI They said, "In the two months since Sister Lin was elected to lead the church, FEN QI when anything involves her family interests or personal affairs, FEN QI she puts aside church work FEN QI and leaves everything for her partner to deal with. FEN QI This leaves her partner with a heavy workload and makes it impossible to do things properly. FEN QI Especially in urgent matters, she doesn't handle things in time. FEN QI Her partner is under very heavy pressure and feels a little negative. FEN QI The upper leaders have offered help and support to Sister Lin many times, FEN QI but she hasn't managed to improve. FEN QI Sister Lin also has no enlightenment in her fellowship on God's word at meetings, FEN QI so our brothers and sisters lack supply, FEN QI and some of them are reluctant to come to meetings. FEN QI Because Sister Lin can't resolve the brothers' and sisters' practical problems, FEN QI she fears seeing them and doesn't want to come either. FEN QI When the brothers and sisters have states or difficulties, FEN QI she can't fellowship on the truth to help, she only encourages with words of doctrine, FEN QI or she uses her own methods and worldly philosophy to solve things. FEN QI If they are in a negative state because of illness, FEN QI she only tells them what doctors to visit and what health products to take, FEN QI but she doesn't guide them to go before God, FEN QI seek God's will, and learn lessons. FEN QI Also, when some people talk about investments during meetings, FEN QI Sister Lin not only lacks the discernment to expose and stop them, FEN QI she actually takes part and invites her brothers and sisters to do so as well. FEN QI Some brothers and sisters reminded her many times FEN QI to focus on pursuing the truth and fulfilling her duties, FEN QI but she feared her brothers and sisters would say she lusts for money, FEN QI so she invested in secret FEN QI and lost over 400,000, which distracted her even more from her duties." SISTER JIANG BROTHER FANG It must have. BROTHER FANG It must have. FEN QI Sister Lin was neglecting her duties and not doing practical work, FEN QI so church life there was ineffective, and the brothers and sisters felt negative and weak. BROTHER FANG Given Sister Lin's behavior, she was clearly a false leader. SISTER XIN Right. SISTER JIANG She was. FEN QI She was.After hearing their report of the situation, FEN QI I thought, "Sister Lin doesn't pursue the truth or do practical work, FEN QI and her views on things are like an unbeliever. FEN QI She can't receive the Holy Spirit's work like this. SISTER XIN Yes. SISTER ZHI Yes. FEN QI How can she lead a church like that? FEN QI Even without her resignation letter, FEN QI she would be dismissed as a false leader for her behavior." SISTER ZHI Indeed. SISTER JIANG Indeed. FEN QI So, I found the principle to discern whether someone has the Holy Spirit's work FEN QI and gave fellowship based on that and her behavior. FEN QI When I finished, several of the deacons nodded with approval FEN QI and said Sister Lin lacked the Holy Spirit's work. FEN QI But when I talked about dismissing Sister Lin from her duties, FEN QI these deacons said, FEN QI "Sister Lin has good humanity, FEN QI she helps her brothers and sisters with whatever difficulties she can, FEN QI and she is friendly and unpretentious." FEN QI They also said she had good caliber, was clever, could accept God's word quickly, FEN QI and no matter what kind of trouble her brothers and sisters had, she could comfort them. FEN QI If she was dismissed, FEN QI the church wouldn't be able to find another suitable leader. FEN QI One of the deacons also said, FEN QI "Sister Lin might just temporarily be in a bad state. FEN QI Let's fellowship with her and try to help her first." FEN QI The other deacons all more or less agreed. FEN QI In short, they didn't approve of dismissing Sister Lin. SISTER ZHI Sister Lin only showed some outward enthusiasm and good deeds. SISTER ZHI That doesn't mean she could do practical work. SISTER XIN Right. SISTER JIANG Right. BROTHER FANG Right. FEN QI Right. If they don't receive the Holy Spirit's work and can't do practical work for long periods, FEN QI leaders and workers should be replaced. FEN QI If they lack the Holy Spirit's work and we keep them, FEN QI aren't we going against what God wants? SISTER XIN That's right. SISTER ZHI That's right. FEN QI These deacons only saw that Sister Lin could care for people's flesh, FEN QI and she was loving to a degree, and had some smarts and caliber, FEN QI but they couldn't see whether she was someone who pursued the truth, FEN QI whether she could do practical work. FEN QI They weren't using the standards of God's house to select people. SISTER JIANG That's true. SISTER ZHI Exactly. FEN QI Sister Lin was obviously someone who didn't pursue the truth FEN QI and held views just like those of unbelievers. FEN QI She didn't fellowship on the truth when things happened FEN QI and she couldn't resolve her brothers' and sisters' practical problems of life entry at all. FEN QI She was revealed as a false leader. FEN QI If she remained in her duties, she would only hinder and disrupt church work FEN QI and get in the way of her brothers' and sisters' life entry. SISTER XIN Yes. SISTER ZHI Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. BROTHER FANG You're right. BROTHER FANG So did you fellowship on these problems with them? BROTHER FANG They agreed to dismiss her in the end, right? FEN QI After my fellowship, the deacons were all silent, FEN QI but I could see they still didn't agree with dismissing her. FEN QI I thought, "If I insist on my viewpoint here FEN QI and continue fellowshiping on the truth and discerning Sister Lin, FEN QI will these deacons say I am too arrogant and arbitrary FEN QI and don't accept other people's opinions?" FEN QI I also worried that if I spoiled my relationship with these deacons after just arriving, FEN QI the rest of my work would be harder. FEN QI When I thought of this, FEN QI I stopped fellowshiping with the deacons on the principles of discerning false leaders, FEN QI and I reported the church's situation to the leaders above me. FEN QI I thought, "If my leader agrees with my point of view, FEN QI then I will dismiss Sister Lin, FEN QI and those deacons won't have any bad opinions of me." FEN QI After that, I went to other sisters at that church to learn their views of Sister Lin, FEN QI but I discovered that these sisters also lacked discernment of her. FEN QI They all spoke highly of her, FEN QI saying she was loving, understood their difficulties, and was clever and had caliber. FEN QI Their view was the same as the deacons. FEN QI When I saw this, I didn't dare fellowship on the truth to discern Sister Lin. FEN QI I feared they would say I was arrogant, self-important, and ignored others' views, FEN QI and would have a bad impression of me. FEN QI So, I just waited for my leader's letter with the answer. FEN QI That way, I wasn't burdened with the matter of Sister Lin's dismissal. FEN QI I clearly saw that these brothers and sisters lacked the truth and couldn't discern, FEN QI but I had no desire to fellowship with them. FEN QI During those days, I felt spiritual darkness, and I couldn't feel the presence of God. FEN QI I realized that my state was wrong, FEN QI so I went before God and prayed FEN QI to ask for His enlightenment and guidance so that I could know my state. SISTER JIANG Good. FEN QI After a few days, my leader asked to meet with me. FEN QI We read a passage of an article of God's words— FEN QI "The Most Important Part of Believing in God Is Putting the Truth Into Practice." SISTER JIANG Okay. FEN QI "In God's house, you must grasp the principle of every duty, no matter what it is. FEN QI Being able to practice the truth means acting according to principle. FEN QI If something is not clear to you or you don't know what to do, FEN QI use fellowship to achieve consensus. FEN QI Determine what most benefits the church's work and brothers and sisters, and do that. FEN QI Don't be bound by rules, don't delay, don't wait, don't be a passive observer. FEN QI If you passively observe—adding your opinion after someone makes a decision, FEN QI dragging your heels and waiting when they don't— FEN QI you will end up wrecking any work you do. FEN QI For things you see clearly, if all tell you it's the proper approach, FEN QI and God guides you to do it this way, then this is how you should do it— FEN QI don't be afraid of responsibility, offending others, or any consequences. FEN QI God sees, He watches, FEN QI when people are cunning and dishonest. FEN QI No matter what you think, when you don't act based on truth, when you lack commitment, FEN QI if there's your personal contamination, if you have your own ideas, FEN QI God watches and He knows, FEN QI and the next time you do something, He will not be by your side. FEN QI And why not? FEN QI There are always things in your heart that distance you from God. FEN QI What are these things? FEN QI Your own thoughts, your own pride and interests, and your own small-mindedness. FEN QI When these things distance people from God and preoccupy them, this is trouble. FEN QI If you are of poor caliber and scant experience, but are willing to pursue the truth, FEN QI and always of one heart with God, if you give your all to God's commission without petty tricks, FEN QI then God will see this. FEN QI If you're walled off from God, harboring petty schemes, living for your own interests and pride, FEN QI are always calculating these things in your heart, are possessed by them, FEN QI then God will not be pleased with you, and you will make a mess of much that you do. FEN QI That is because you are not easy to use. FEN QI You lack commitment and love for the truth, playing games with God, FEN QI you're disingenuous in your work for God's house; you lack an honest heart, FEN QI you don't give your whole heart and soul, but make token effort without your whole heart. FEN QI This will not do. FEN QI God watches people's hearts: If you do not repent, FEN QI you will not enter the life, nor will your life ever grow, and so you will not receive God's approval."Amen! SISTER XIN Amen! SISTER ZHI Amen! SISTER JIANG Amen! BROTHER FANG Amen! SISTER ZHI These words are wonderful. SISTER XIN Yes. SISTER JIANG FEN QI I learned from God's word FEN QI that everything in the duties of God's house should be based on the principles of truth. FEN QI In matters we can't see clearly, we can discuss, reach a consensus, FEN QI and do whatever most benefits church work. FEN QI In matters we see clearly, we need to practice the truth and act according to principles FEN QI to be considerate of God's will. BROTHER FANG Yes. SISTER XIN Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. SISTER ZHI That's right! FEN QI But if we lack honest hearts, play tricks before God, FEN QI and try to protect our personal interests, FEN QI understand the truth but don't practice it, and show no loyalty or consideration to God, FEN QI then we will never receive the work of the Holy Spirit FEN QI and never receive God's blessing in our duties. FEN QI I knew as I listened to the deacons report Sister Lin's situation FEN QI that she wasn't someone who pursued the truth, didn't do practical work at all, FEN QI and was a false leader who needed to be replaced, FEN QI but when I saw that the deacons wouldn't agree, FEN QI I was afraid they would say I was arrogant and self-important, FEN QI so I didn't dare uphold the principles of truth FEN QI and didn't want to fellowship with them about the truth regarding discerning false leaders. FEN QI When I wrote a letter to report to my leader, FEN QI outwardly I was serious about my duties, FEN QI but actually I was hesitant to step forward, FEN QI because I was afraid my brothers and sisters would view me negatively. FEN QI In my duty, I only considered my own reputation and status, FEN QI for which I tolerated a false leader disrupting church work FEN QI and hindering my brothers' and sisters' life entry. FEN QI I saw that I really was selfish, despicable, and cunning. FEN QI God inspects people's hearts and minds, FEN QI and my thoughts may deceive other people, but not God. SISTER XIN Right. SISTER ZHI Right. FEN QI During that time, my spirit was dark and I couldn't feel God's presence. FEN QI This was actually God's righteous chastisement for me! FEN QI Just at that moment, FEN QI I heard about a church where an antichrist doing evil was discovered FEN QI but no one reported or exposed. FEN QI Even when this antichrist was expelled, the members covered up and shielded him. FEN QI This offended God's disposition, FEN QI and everyone in the church was put in isolation to reflect. FEN QI When I heard about that result, my heart trembled with fear. FEN QI I asked myself over and over again FEN QI why I couldn't dismiss the false leader when I discovered it. FEN QI Especially considering that God's word says, FEN QI "Once the truth has become life in you, FEN QI when you see someone who blasphemes against God, has no reverence for Him, is slipshod in their duty, FEN QI or interrupts or disturbs the church's work, FEN QI you will respond according to the principles of the truth, FEN QI and will be able to identify and expose them as necessary. FEN QI If the truth has not become your life, and you still live within your satanic disposition, FEN QI when you encounter wicked people and devils who interrupt and disturb the work of God's house, FEN QI you will turn a blind eye and a deaf ear; you will brush them aside, FEN QI without reproach from your conscience. FEN QI You'll even think someone disturbing the work of God's house has nothing to do with you. FEN QI No matter how great the loss to God's work and the interests of His house, FEN QI you will feel no reproach from your conscience, FEN QI which means that you will be someone who lives by their satanic disposition. FEN QI Satan controls you, causing you to live as neither human nor demon. FEN QI You eat what is God's, drink what is God's, and enjoy all that comes from Him, FEN QI yet when His house's work suffers any loss, you think it unrelated to you, FEN QI and, when you see it happen, you even 'bend your elbow outward,' FEN QI and do not take God's side, nor do you uphold God's work or the interests of God's house. FEN QI This means Satan has power over you, does it not? FEN QI Do such people live as human beings? FEN QI Clearly, they are demons, not humans!"Amen! SISTER XIN Amen! SISTER JIANG Amen! BROTHER FANG Amen! FEN QI Every line of God's word pierced my heart, and I was terrified. FEN QI It was as if God was enraged with me. FEN QI I clearly saw a false leader in the church disrupting work, FEN QI which hindered the life entry of my brothers and sisters, FEN QI but to protect my relationship with the deacons and the brothers and sisters, FEN QI I didn't dare expose or handle the false leader FEN QI and didn't fellowship on the truth to help them discern. FEN QI I had become a shield for the false leader, become Satan's accomplice. FEN QI What I was doing was evil. FEN QI Just think, God came incarnate and expressed so much truth to water and supply us, FEN QI and I received all I have from God, FEN QI but when the work of God's house was harmed, FEN QI I chose to tolerate a false leader disturbing its work. FEN QI I saw just how ungrateful I was in that moment. FEN QI I lacked all conscience, reason, and didn't have a shred of humanity. FEN QI I was a disappointment to God. SISTER ZHI Yes. FEN QI After that, I recalled another passage of God's word, FEN QI "You say you are mindful of God's burden and will defend the church's testimony, but who has really done so? FEN QI Ask yourself: Are you someone who has shown consideration for His burden? FEN QI Can you practice righteousness for Him? Can you stand up and speak for Me? FEN QI Can you steadfastly put the truth into practice? FEN QI Are you bold enough to fight against all of Satan's deeds? FEN QI Can you set emotions aside and expose Satan for My truth? FEN QI Can you allow My intentions to be fulfilled in you? FEN QI Have you offered up your heart in the most crucial of moments? FEN QI Are you someone who does My will? FEN QI Ask yourself these questions, and think about them often" . FEN QI From each line of God's word, I understood His will. FEN QI A false leader appeared in this church, FEN QI and God hoped we would stand on His side, be considerate of His will, FEN QI and protect the interests of God's house. SISTER ZHI Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI The church had arranged this duty for me, FEN QI so that I could quickly dismiss false leaders if need be, use principles to choose the right person, FEN QI and give my brothers and sisters a good church life. SISTER JIANG Very true. BROTHER FANG Very true. FEN QI If I always considered and planned for my own benefit FEN QI and couldn't stand up to defend the interests of God's house, FEN QI I would certainly be rejected by God. SISTER ZHI Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. BROTHER FANG Yes. FEN QI I realized that Sister Lin didn't pursue the truth FEN QI and her views on things hadn't changed, FEN QI so how could she water her brothers and sisters? FEN QI If someone like this was allowed to stay, FEN QI they would only continue to disrupt the work of God's house and hinder people's life entry. SISTER JIANG Right. SISTER ZHI True. FEN QI Once I realized this, FEN QI I no longer worried about being called arrogant and self-important for dismissing Sister Lin, FEN QI because I knew clearly FEN QI that doing so was upholding principles, practicing the truth, and protecting the work of God's house, FEN QI not arrogance and self-importance. FEN QI Only those who act without a basis in God's word or the truth, FEN QI do whatever they please, and cling to their own notions and ideas FEN QI are arrogant, self-important, and going against the truth. SISTER ZHI Yes. BROTHER FANG Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI So, after that, FEN QI I used God's word to fellowship with them on the consequences of not dismissing Sister Lin FEN QI and fellowshiped on how leaders and workers should do practical work, FEN QI what good humanity is, what good caliber is, and what a loving heart is. FEN QI Thank God! FEN QI After my fellowship, my brothers and sisters could discern Sister Lin. SISTER JIANG Thanks be to God! SISTER ZHI Thanks be to God! FEN QI Indeed. FEN QI They also saw that there are principles for transfers and dismissals in God's house. SISTER JIANG Yes. SISTER ZHI Yes. FEN QI God's house doesn't look at a person's gifts or caliber, FEN QI but looks at whether they can pursue the truth, practice the truth, FEN QI and do practical work. SISTER JIANG Correct. SISTER ZHI Correct. FEN QI Sister Lin was a false leader and had to be dismissed. SISTER JIANG Yes. SISTER XIN Yes. FEN QI Then I went to fellowship with Sister Lin, FEN QI but I discovered she was essentially numb. FEN QI She didn't feel guilty or blame herself at all. FEN QI I dismissed her during that conversation. BROTHER FANG Thank God! SISTER JIANG Yeah. SISTER XIN Thank God! FEN QI Following that, I fellowshiped with the brothers and sisters regarding the principles of elections FEN QI and we selected a new church leader. SISTER ZHI Thanks be to God! BROTHER FANG Thanks be to God! SISTER XIN Thank God! SISTER XIN This is a good way to practice. SISTER JIANG Yes. SISTER XIN The false leader was replaced, and the brothers and sisters also gained more discernment. SISTER JIANG Right. FEN QI Right. FEN QI After the election work finished, FEN QI I thought of how the brothers and sisters reported some of Brother Xiao Lei's behaviors. FEN QI They said he never pursued the truth, FEN QI he believed in God for years without changing his views, that he lusted for worldly things and money, FEN QI he was only concerned with getting rich and living an extraordinary life. FEN QI Each time he was given a duty, he was busy doing business to earn money, FEN QI he was unhappy performing his duties, FEN QI and on top of that, sold investments and money-making schemes to people in the church. FEN QI His behavior was already causing disturbances and disruption in church life. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI I thought, "I'd better go fellowship with him and warn him." SISTER JIANG Good. SISTER ZHI Of course. FEN QI On the day of the meeting, FEN QI he deliberately didn't come home and skipped the meeting. FEN QI I had to wait until evening for him to return. FEN QI I asked him, FEN QI "How do you view the disruptions you've caused in church life? FEN QI Have you reflected and tried to understand yourself?" FEN QI He had no understanding and felt no regret at all for his actions, FEN QI and he had many misunderstandings and complaints. FEN QI He said he had believed in God for years and gained nothing. FEN QI His son disobeyed him, his wife misunderstood him. … FEN QI He placed the blame entirely on other people FEN QI and didn't say a word about his own problems. BROTHER FANG He didn't accept the truth at all, and his views sounded the same as a nonbeliever. BROTHER FANG He was obviously a nonbeliever. FEN QI He certainly was. FEN QI As I fellowshiped with him, FEN QI I guided him to reflect and come to know himself, but he was very resistant. FEN QI He also said, "What's the use of practicing the truth?" FEN QI I recalled that once, a sister had used God's word to point out his nonbeliever behaviors, FEN QI but he had no understanding or repentance at all. FEN QI Xiao Lei never pursued the truth, and in many ways he behaved like a nonbeliever. FEN QI According to principles, FEN QI someone who doesn't pursue the truth, doesn't perform their duties, and disrupts church life FEN QI needs to have solitary meetings arranged. They can't be allowed to disrupt church life. SISTER XIN Right. SISTER ZHI Right. FEN QI Someone like Xiao Lei should have been given solitary meetings, FEN QI otherwise they would influence and disturb people with small stature who lack discernment. SISTER JIANG Yeah. BROTHER FANG Yeah. FEN QI So, I fellowshiped and offered discernment with the church leaders and deacons. FEN QI Everyone agreed that Xiao Lei should have solitary meetings and be given time to reflect. SISTER ZHI Good. FEN QI But several days later, a sister sent me a letter saying FEN QI that Xiao Lei wanted to practice the truth, but was controlled by corrupt dispositions and couldn't, FEN QI so he didn't deserve to have solitary meetings. FEN QI When I saw the letter, I was hesitant. FEN QI If Xiao Lei wanted to repent and change, FEN QI would me arranging for solitary meetings and letting him reflect FEN QI make him even more negative? FEN QI If Xiao Lei and the others learned it was my suggestion to do this, FEN QI would they say I don't give people time to repent? FEN QI I had only recently arrived at this church FEN QI but I was dismissing false leaders and handling nonbelievers. FEN QI Would the brothers and sisters say I was trying to frighten them FEN QI and being too merciless? FEN QI I also considered that Xiao Lei was eloquent and knew how to win people over. FEN QI When I went to fellowship with him and expose him, FEN QI if he didn't agree, opposed me, or lost his temper with me, what would I do? FEN QI When I thought of these things, I found myself in difficulty again, FEN QI so I went before God and prayed FEN QI to ask Him to guide me in understanding His will so I could act by the principles of truth. FEN QI After that, I read a passage of God's word. FEN QI The first passage on page 32. SISTER JIANG Okay. FEN QI "The church is under construction, and Satan is trying its utmost to demolish it. FEN QI It wants to demolish My construction by any means possible; FEN QI this is why the church must be cleansed quickly, removing every trace of evil; FEN QI it must be cleansed so it's flawless and is as pure as ever. FEN QI You must be awake and waiting at all times, and you must pray before Me more. FEN QI You must see through all Satan's schemes and wiles, FEN QI know of spirits and people, and differentiate each sort of person, event, and thing; FEN QI you must eat and drink more of My words, and even more, be able to do so by yourselves. FEN QI Equip yourselves with all of the truth, and come before Me so I may open your spiritual eyes FEN QI so you can see the mysteries within the spirit…. FEN QI When the church enters its construction phase, the saints march to battle. FEN QI Satan's various hideous features are set before you: FEN QI Do you stop and edge back, or stand up, rely on Me, and go forward? FEN QI Thoroughly expose Satan's corrupt and ugly features, spare no feelings, and show no mercy! FEN QI Fight Satan to the death! FEN QI I am your backup, and you must have the spirit of the male child! FEN QI Satan is thrashing in its death throes, but it won't escape My judgment. FEN QI Satan is beneath My feet and it is also being trodden under your own feet— Amen! FEN QI this is a fact!" . SISTER XIN Amen! SISTER ZHI Amen! SISTER JIANG Amen! BROTHER FANG Amen! FEN QI I learned from God's word FEN QI that as God works to save people, FEN QI Satan also does its best to disrupt God's work. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI God permits false leaders, antichrists, evildoers, and nonbelievers to appear in the church FEN QI so that we can equip ourselves with truth, FEN QI discern the people, matters, and things around us using the principles of truth, FEN QI understand which things come from God and which from Satan, FEN QI stand on God's side, discern and reject all of Satan's negative things, FEN QI and no longer show mercy to Satan. FEN QI I thought again about Xiao Lei, FEN QI how he never pursued or practiced the truth, FEN QI how he believed in God for years yet still held unbeliever views, FEN QI and how when his brothers and sisters fellowshiped with him, FEN QI he always had fallacies ready to refute them. FEN QI In church life, he always talked about things unrelated to the truth, never played a positive role, FEN QI and he didn't have the slightest understanding or repentance for his actions. FEN QI Where someone like Xiao Lei was concerned, FEN QI if he wasn't handled and put in solitary meetings immediately, FEN QI he would hinder the life entry of his brothers and sisters even more FEN QI and confound the brothers and sisters of small stature. SISTER XIN Yeah. SISTER ZHI Yeah. SISTER JIANG Yes, they would definitely be confounded. FEN QI Exactly. FEN QI I realized God's house has this principle for handling nonbelievers, FEN QI because nonbelievers and brothers and sisters who sincerely believe and love the truth FEN QI are entirely different types of people. SISTER ZHI Yeah. SISTER JIANG Yeah. FEN QI Separate meetings for those who don't play a positive role in the church FEN QI is to limit their evil deeds, FEN QI ensure they can't disturb the church life, FEN QI and allow others to better pursue the truth and be saved. SISTER ZHI Precisely. SISTER JIANG Precisely. FEN QI My duty was as a leader, so I had to handle nonbelievers according to principles. FEN QI If I shrank back and ignored my duty to protect my interests and not offend others, FEN QI wasn't I covering up for Satan and tolerating nonbelievers FEN QI disturbing my brothers and sisters in the church? SISTER XIN Exactly. SISTER ZHI Exactly. SISTER JIANG Well said. FEN QI Later, I saw another passage of God's word FEN QI and learned about the root of why I couldn't practice the truth or uphold principles. FEN QI It's the seventh passage from "Only Those Who Practice the Truth Are God-Fearing." SISTER JIANG I'll read it for you. FEN QI Okay. SISTER JIANG "Most people wish to pursue and practice the truth, SISTER JIANG but much of the time they merely have a resolution and the desire to do so; SISTER JIANG the truth has not become their life. SISTER JIANG As a result, when they come across evil forces SISTER JIANG or bad people doing evil deeds, or false leaders and antichrists violating principles— SISTER JIANG thus causing the work of God's house to suffer losses, and harming God's chosen ones— SISTER JIANG they lose the courage to stand up and speak out. SISTER JIANG What does it mean when you have no courage? SISTER JIANG That you are timid or inarticulate? Or that you do not understand and dare not speak up? SISTER JIANG It is none of these; SISTER JIANG it is that you are being controlled by several kinds of corrupt dispositions. SISTER JIANG One disposition is cunning. You first consider yourself, SISTER JIANG thinking, 'If I speak up, how will it help me? SISTER JIANG If I speak up and offend someone, then how will we get along?' SISTER JIANG This is a cunning mentality, right? Is this not the result of a cunning disposition? SISTER JIANG Another disposition is selfish and mean. SISTER JIANG You think, 'How does a loss to the interests of God's house relate to me? Why should I care? SISTER JIANG It's none of my business. Even if I see and hear of it, I need not do anything. SISTER JIANG It's not my responsibility—I'm not a leader.' SISTER JIANG Such things are inside you, as if they had sprung from your unconscious mind, SISTER JIANG and as if they occupy permanent positions in your heart— SISTER JIANG they are the corrupt, satanic dispositions of man. … SISTER JIANG You never say what you really think. It all has to be pre-edited by your brain, in your mind. Everything you say is a lie, at odds with the facts, it is all in your own spurious defense, to your own advantage. Some people are taken in, and it's good enough for you: Your words and actions have achieved your objectives. This is what is in your heart, these are your dispositions. SISTER JIANG You are wholly controlled by your own satanic dispositions. You have no power over what you say and do. SISTER JIANG Even if you wanted to, you couldn't tell the truth SISTER JIANG or speak from the heart, nor could you practice the truth or fulfill your responsibilities. SISTER JIANG Everything you say, do, and practice is a lie, and you're just sloppy and perfunctory. SISTER JIANG Evidently, you are wholly shackled and controlled by your satanic disposition. SISTER JIANG You may want to accept and strive for the truth, but it's not up to you: SISTER JIANG You are nothing but a puppet of corrupt flesh, you have become a tool of Satan, SISTER JIANG you say and do whatever your satanic disposition tells you to." SISTER ZHI Amen! FEN QI Amen! SISTER XIN Amen! SISTER JIANG God accurately reveals us as cunning, selfish, and despicable. SISTER JIANG These are our states. SISTER XIN Yes. FEN QI Yes. FEN QI I thought back on my behavior. FEN QI Each time I needed to practice the truth, FEN QI I was only concerned with my own reputation and status. I was very selfish and cunning. FEN QI Satanic philosophies like "Every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost" FEN QI and "Protect yourself, seek only to escape blame" had already taken root in my mind. SISTER JIANG Right. FEN QI I lived by these things, so I didn't dare uphold the principles of truth. FEN QI In the matter of dismissing Sister Lin, FEN QI I was afraid my co-workers would say I was arrogant and self-important, FEN QI so I didn't dare uphold principles. FEN QI I protected my own image at the cost of the work of God's house, FEN QI and couldn't dismiss Sister Lin in time. FEN QI On top of that, FEN QI Xiao Lei's behavior had already disrupted church life, FEN QI so by principles, he needed to have isolated meetings BROTHER FANG Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI to ensure the others had a proper church life and weren't confounded or disturbed. BROTHER FANG Yeah. SISTER JIANG Yeah. FEN QI This would be helpful both to Xiao Lei and the life entry of the others in the church. SISTER ZHI True. SISTER JIANG True. FEN QI But again, I feared my brothers and sisters would say FEN QI I didn't give people a chance to repent or consider people's weaknesses, FEN QI which might affect my image and status in their minds, FEN QI so I was willing to let church life be harmed and couldn't uphold principles or practice truth. FEN QI All that mattered to me was how to protect my own image and status, FEN QI and I didn't care how church work or the interests of God's house were harmed. FEN QI How could I call myself a sincere believer in God? FEN QI Only then did I realize that I was poisoned deeply by satanic philosophies. FEN QI I was selfish, deceitful, and had no human likeness at all. FEN QI God likes people who dare to uphold the principles of truth and have a sense of justice, SISTER ZHI Right. SISTER JIANG Right. FEN QI who have the courage to uphold all positive things FEN QI and reject all negative things. SISTER ZHI Exactly. SISTER JIANG Exactly. FEN QI These are God's requirements for us. SISTER ZHI Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI The matter of Xiao Lei was God testing me. FEN QI He was checking whether I could protect the interests of God's house. FEN QI I thought, "I have to be someone with a sense of justice. FEN QI Regardless of what others think of me, I have to uphold the principles of truth." SISTER ZHI That's right. SISTER JIANG That's right. BROTHER FANG That's right. SISTER XIN Thank God! FEN QI After that, through fellowship, the others learned to discern Xiao Lei's nonbeliever behavior, FEN QI and 80% of the brothers and sisters agreed FEN QI to arrange for solitary meetings and observation for Xiao Lei. BROTHER FANG Thanks be to God! SISTER XIN Yeah. SISTER JIANG Yeah. FEN QI Next, I went to fellowship with Xiao Lei FEN QI and used his consistent behavior to expose his problems. FEN QI But even before I could finish, he started to defend himself and refute me, FEN QI saying that the brothers and sisters invested willingly, that it had nothing to do with him. … SISTER XIN He didn't reflect on himself at all and did nothing but argue. SISTER XIN He really was a nonbeliever. SISTER ZHI Yeah. SISTER XIN No matter how many chances he was given, he would never sincerely repent. SISTER XIN That was the right way to handle it. SISTER ZHI Yes. BROTHER FANG Yes. SISTER JIANG Yes. FEN QI It's true. FEN QI When he behaved like this, it proved he was a nonbeliever. SISTER ZHI Right. FEN QI So, I arranged for him to have solitary meetings and be observed for a period of time, FEN QI and if he still showed no knowledge or repentance, he would be cleared out of the church. SISTER ZHI Good. SISTER JIANG Good. FEN QI After practicing according to the principles of truth, FEN QI I felt an indescribable sense of peace and joy in my heart. SISTER XIN Thank God! SISTER ZHI Thank God! SISTER JIANG Thank God! BROTHER FANG Thank God! FEN QI After that experience, I started to understand my corrupt dispositions, FEN QI I could let go of my interests and practice the truth, and I could live out a little human likeness. FEN QI All of this was God's salvation. SISTER XIN Thanks be to God! SISTER JIANG Thanks be to God! BROTHER FANG Thanks be to God! FEN QI I also see that God's house is different from the world. FEN QI The truth rules in God's house. FEN QI When we practice the truth and act with principle, we gain God's blessing and guidance. SISTER XIN Yeah. SISTER ZHI Yeah. SISTER JIANG Yeah. BROTHER FANG Yeah. SISTER JIANG With your fellowship, I have a little more light.