NOTE THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS AND OFFENCES

Friday 03

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
Romans 16:17 (NKJV)

READ: Romans 16:17–20; 1 Corinthians 5:9–13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

The Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul was saying in the above passage that those who are causing divisions and offences should be noted. They are doing and teaching contrary to the
doctrine or teaching they learned, and thus they should be avoided (Romans 16:17). Those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly. Through smooth words and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:18).

A believer should be wary of those who peddle wrong doctrines or teachings. Those who, through their teachings and ways of life, cause divisions and offences in the Body of Christ and live contrary to the doctrine of the Bible. Such people should be avoided. Not
on the basis of hatred, but the fact is that they are not serving God (Philippians 3:19). They do whatever they do because of their belly—what to eat (Romans 16:18).

One would be amazed at the way some people, so-called believers, promote deceptions because of money and what to eat (Philippians 3:19). They use smooth words and flattering speech to deceive those who are simple-minded (Colossians 2:4). These people are many today and a number of them are found on social media.

What should matter most to a believer is the practice of the Scriptures. However, you will not be able to practise what you do not know. Thus, there is a need to pay attention to feeding on the Word of God, the Bible (Psalm 1:1–3; James 1:22–25). Christian living is all about being a practicer of the Word of God, an adherent of Christ Jesus’ teaching; that is the hallmark of a true disciple of Christ.

It is those who are looking for what is not lost that are easily deceived by charlatans who parade themselves as true ministers of God (1 Timothy 3:5–7). Avoid whoever comes to you with whatever is not in line with the written Word of God:

9 WHOEVER TRANSGRESSES AND DOES NOT ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST DOES NOT HAVE GOD. HE
WHO ABIDES IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST HAS BOTH THE FATHER AND THE SON.
10 IF ANYONE COMES TO YOU AND DOES NOT BRING THIS DOCTRINE, DO NOT RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HOUSE NOR GREET HIM;
11 FOR HE WHO GREETS HIM SHARES IN HIS EVIL DEEDS.
2 John 9–11 (NKJV)

REFLECT:
• Are there voices in your life (online or in person) that are feeding
you teachings contrary to the Word of God?
• Are you feeding on the Word enough to recognise false teaching
when you hear it?

Peace.

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