BEWARE… DON’T BE NAIVE!
BEWARE… DON’T BE NAÏVE!
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 naïve. —Romans 16:17-18
As followers of Jesus, we are to cling to what God says. Beware of “those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught.” There will be those who will cause divisions because they do not adhere to the Word of God, but to their own ideas. Many times they twist the Word of God to cause divisions. We, as followers of Jesus, need to know what God says and be obedient to Him and not to what man says. In causing divisions these people also create obstacles for others who desire to be faithful to what God has said.
God’s Word is clear here. People that do these things “do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. Again, these people—
- Do not serve Jesus
- Serve their own appetites
- Are smooth talkers
- Are flatterers
- Are deceivers
So, there you have it. These are people to beware of and we are told to “avoid them.” Not everyone that “goes to church” or professes to be a believer is faithful to what God has said. We want to serve and work for our Lord Jesus with those who want to do the same according to His Word. There are those who will actually be a hindrance and put-up obstacles for those who are seeking to be faithful. Avoid them! God is clear on this…
Dear Father, please help me to be discerning as to who these people may be. May You help me to gather people who love You and desire to be obedient to You above all things. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6IvyegNCs&list=RDTB6IvyegNCs&start_radio=1