“Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Division, Doctrine, Jesus, Obstacles, Romans, Romans 16, Romans 16:17-20

They are smooth. They are slick. They flatter me.

What’s the problem? I need to be discerning. There are those who want to deceive me. They want to lead me astray.

We have a lot to learn here. There is a rabbit hole. We seem to keep jumping down it, expecting a different outcome. It isn’t working.

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. ¹⁸ For such persons do not serve our Master [Lord] the Messiah [Christ], but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. ¹⁹ For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. ²⁰ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Master Jesus the Messiah be with you. ^[1]

Romans 16:17-20

What is the good news? Jesus leads me, through the Holy Spirit, into His Truth. Jesus is the Truth. I can take refuge in Him.

Jesus is clear that I can tell a tree by its fruit. “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:17)

How do I know there is a problem? One clue is the fruit of dissension. Dissension here (from the Greek) means divisions which wrongly separate people into pointless (groundless) factions.

Uh Oh! I see a whole lot of this going on. I get sucked into it many days. Ye Gads!

What am I to do about it?

• Paul is clear.
• Turn away from them.
• They have set a trap for me to hinder me in my growth in the Messiah.
• I need to be wise.
• I need to focus on the good.

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 16:17–20). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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