Encourages believers to develop discernment to detect deceit, stand firm against division, and rejoice in God's promise of victory over evil.
Welcome, brothers and sisters. It's a joy to gather together again in the house of the Lord, to sit at the feet of His wisdom and drink from the well of His Word. We're here to open our hearts and minds to the divine truth that God has laid out for us in the sacred scriptures. Today, we turn our attention to the words of the Apostle Paul, written to the Romans, a letter filled with profound insights and practical guidance for every believer.
In Romans 16:17-20, Paul writes,
"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
These are weighty words, laden with wisdom and warning. Paul is calling us to be vigilant, to be discerning, to be wise. He's calling us to detect deceit, to see through the smooth talk and flattery that can lead us astray. And he's reminding us of the ultimate victory, that our God is a God of peace who will soon crush Satan under our feet.
In the heart of Paul's message, there's a call to vigilance. To be vigilant, in essence, is to be watchful, to be alert, to be on guard. It's a state of heightened awareness, a readiness to respond to any threat or danger that may arise. Paul is urging us to apply this vigilance to our spiritual lives, to be on the lookout for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in our way.
Who are they?: These division-causers, these obstacle-putters, they're not just random troublemakers. They're people who are acting contrary to the teaching we have learned. They're people who are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. They're people who, by smooth talk and flattery, deceive the minds of naive people. They're people who pose a real and present danger to our spiritual well-being.
How do we spot these people?: How do we discern the divisions they cause? It's not always easy. They don't wear signs around their necks announcing their intentions. They don't wave red flags to alert us to their presence. They often operate under the radar, subtly and insidiously sowing seeds of discord and doubt.
Where the wisdom of Paul's words really comes into play: He's not just telling us to watch out for these people. He's telling us to keep away from them. To distance ourselves from their influence. To not let them draw us into their web of deceit. This is a proactive form of vigilance, a deliberate decision to protect ourselves from potential harm.
More to it than just avoidance: Paul also wants us to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. This is a call to discernment, to the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between right and wrong. It's a call to cultivate a deep understanding of God's Word, to immerse ourselves in His teachings, to let His truth guide our thoughts and actions.
Not a passive process: It's not something that just happens to us. It's something we actively pursue, something we consciously cultivate. It involves studying the scriptures, meditating on God's Word, seeking His guidance in prayer. It involves being open to the Holy Spirit's leading, being receptive to His wisdom, being responsive to His prompting.
Not a solitary endeavor: It's something we do together, as a community of believers. We learn from each other, we support each other, we hold each other accountable. We share our insights, our struggles, our victories. We encourage each other in our pursuit of discernment, in our quest for truth.
The ultimate victory: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet. This is a promise of triumph, a guarantee of victory. It's a reminder that no matter how cunning the devil may be, no matter how deceptive his tactics, he is no match for our God. Our God is a God of peace, a God of power, a God of victory. And He is on our side.
As we continue to reflect on Paul's words, we find ourselves drawn to his warning about those who, by smooth talk and flattery, deceive the minds of naive people ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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