- “Now I urge you, brethren, NOTE THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS AND OFFENSES, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
- For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Romans 16:17,18 (NKJV)
• Apostle Paul urged the believers in Rome to note those who cause divisions and offenses, and they should avoid them.
- Anyone who teaches things contrary to what they have been taught should be avoided.
- Those who upset people’s faith should be avoided.
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Galatians 1:8 (NKJV)
• We must have fellowship with God. We must have fellowship with Christians. But we must not have fellowship with false teachers, those who cause divisions and offenses (2 John 9-11).
Believers should walk in love but the love must be discerning. It should not be the love that is open to anything or anyone who is heretic. It is dangerous and foolish to float through life with undiscerning love.
In our text, Romans 16:17,18; Apostle Paul said such people, those who cause divisions and offenses, do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their belly.
They have deceived the hearts of the simple, naïve believers, through smooth words and flattery speech (Romans 16:18; Philippians 3:18,19; 2 Timothy 2:18; 3:5,6).
• Jesus in His sermon on the mount, Matthew 7:15-20, says we should beware of false prophets.
- He said they come in sheep clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).
- Jesus said you will know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16,20).
- He also said every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit (Matthew 7:17,18).
• You would do well to heed the admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ and that of Apostle Paul shared in this piece and avoid those who are heretic—those who teach contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
- Apostle Paul said:
- “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
- For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that THERE ARE MANY WHOSE CONDUCT SHOWS THEY ARE REALLY ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST.
- They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”
Philippians 3:17-19 (NLT)
• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!