“Offer an open hand of fellowship to welcome every true believer, even though their faith may be weak and immature. And refuse to engage in debates with them concerning nothing more than opinions.” (Romans 14:1)
First notice the phrase “true believer”, so this means that there are “false believers”, right?
"For they are not true apostles but deceitful ministers who masquerade as “special apostles” of the Anointed One. That doesn’t surprise us, for even Satan transforms himself to appear as an angel of light! So it’s no wonder his servants also go about pretending to be ministers of righteousness. But in the end they will be exposed and get exactly what they deserve." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
“In my difficult travels I’ve faced many dangerous situations: perilous rivers, robbers, foreigners, and even my own people. I’ve survived deadly peril in the city, in the wilderness, with storms at sea, and with spies posing as believers.” (2 Corinthians 11:26)
“I met with them privately because false “brothers” had been secretly smuggled into church meetings. They were sent to spy on the wonderful freedom that we have in Jesus Christ. Their agenda was to bring us back into the bondage of religion.” (Galatians 2:4)
Peter says:
"In the past there arose false prophets among God’s people, just as there will continue to be false teachers who will secretly infiltrate in your midst to divide you, bringing with them their destructive heresies. They will even deny the Master, who paid the price for them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow immoral lifestyles. Because of these corrupt false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. They are only out for themselves, ready to exploit you for their own gain through their cunning arguments. Their condemnation has been a long time coming. But their destruction does not slumber or sit idly by, for it is sure to come." (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Jude calls them:
"These false teachers are like dangerous hidden reefs at your love feasts, lying in wait to shipwreck the immature. They feast among you without reverence, having no shepherd but themselves. They are clouds with no rain, swept along by the winds. Like fruitless late-autumn trees —twice dead, barren, and plucked up by the roots! They are wild waves of the sea, flinging out the foam of their shame and disgrace. They are misleading like wandering stars, for whom the complete darkness of eternal gloom has been reserved." (Jude 1:12-13)
The Lord Jesus says:
“I am aware of all the painful difficulties you have passed through and your financial hardships, even though, in fact, you possess rich treasure. And I am fully aware of the slander that has come against you from those who claim to be Jews but are not, for they are a satanic congregation.” (Revelation 2:9)
"Watch how I deal with those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews but are not, for they’re lying. I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge how much I’ve loved you." (Revelation 3:9)
Now this isn’t to make us suspicious and critical, but we need to be discerning. In the words of Jesus, we must judge a tree by its fruit, why? That’s the deciding factor of offering them the hand of fellowship. The Greek word is "proslambanō" and means, to take as one's companion; to take by the hand in order to lead aside; to take into friendship and intimacy.
Who you allow in your circle is crucial, Jesus had His twelve, but then we see three He trusted more, and one who staid by His side even while He was on the Cross! With each level He knew what He could share with them.
Discerning whether the Holy Spirit dwells within a person will guide where the conversation needs to go. Is it to point them to the Cross and the Blood that they might repent, surrender to Jesus Christ, and follow Him? Or is it to encourage them, and begin to help them see and understand who they are in Christ?
Finally we are not to debate or argue, the Word stands on its own, Jesus doesn’t need us to prove Him right, He is right! We present the truth, and if someone wants to try and debate their opinion we humbly leave them with the truth and pray the Holy Spirit brings the revelation to them.
In a world, and sadly a church age where everyone wants to be right, and will argue to try and prove themselves as so, the scripture is clear in saying, “Stay away from all the foolish arguments of the immature, for these disputes will only generate more conflict. For a true servant of our Lord Jesus will not be argumentative but gentle toward all and skilled in helping others see the truth, having great patience toward the immature. Then with meekness you’ll be able to carefully enlighten those who argue with you so they can see God’s gracious gift of repentance and be brought to the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:23-25)