WATCH OUT!
WATCH OUT!
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. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. —Romans 16:17-18
When a follower of Jesus is not grounded in the foundational truths of God’s Word then they are in danger. They are in danger of someone coming along that “sounds” good even as God’s Word is used by them. The Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons will use the Word of God for their own purposes. As a hook I have even heard them say, “Oh, we believe the same thing.” But they are dividers. Their teachings cause fractures and not unity. They are destructive to those who listen to them. They claim to be serving our Lord Jesus, but in reality they are serving their own appetites and another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel— “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough” (II Corinthians 11:3-4). They may have smooth talk and use flattery, but they are seeking to “deceive the hearts of the naïve.” Of them it is said, “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (II Corinthians 11:13-15).
If you have ever seen a person like this in action you will notice they will approach those who have a listening ear to what they are saying. If the person they are speaking with is not discerning then they will be affected by the smooth talking deceiver. This is one reason we really need to know God’s Word. We really need to know what God says because that is what is most important. Everything needs to be filtered by His Word, but how can a person filter what they hear through His Word if they do not know what He says. Be in God’s Word and discern the voice of God.
According to the passage above these people can be known by: 1- They cause divisions, not unity. 2- They create doctrinal obstacles by not sticking to Biblical teaching. 3- They do not serve Jesus. 4- They serve their own appetites. 5- They have smooth talk and use flattery to deceive. 6- They seek out the naïve to deceive. Be in God’s Word and beware.
Dear Father I thank You for the Light of Your Word. Thank You that You have not left us in the dark nor have You left us defenseless. Your Word is both Light and a Sword. Please help me to use Your Light and Sword at the appropriate times in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus— for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7uRX4srnsM