Romans 16:17-18
"Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple."
NKJV
Life Lesson
Stay away from divisive people.
David's son, Absalom used to sit at the city gate and pitch malcontent about his father's leadership. Under the guise of juicy news or the old Christian standby, "won't you join with me in prayer about...," Absalom cast division to the people. The accusations were twisted misrepresentations of truth meant to fuel anger and discontentment. In the harvest of his contempt, a lot of people were hurt and the perseverance of the state was tested.
Later, and only thirty years into the creation of the church, Paul would spend a lot of time battling those who sought to cause division and disruption in the church. Today, church leaders have to spend time preventing or fixing the damage of division. This is valuable time not spent reaching people with the Good News of Jesus Christ, and that is just what Satan wants. If the enemy of our souls can inspire division among the Body, he can distract servants of the Lord from what they should be doing.
People who cause division are never acting on behalf of God. Gossip and division only hurt the Work of God. Note the people you know who are divisive, and avoid them. It's not often we are told in the Bible to avoid specific individuals, but we are told to avoid those who cause division. Friend, in doing so, you will save a lot of heartache and a lot of pain.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me. Thank You for wrapping me in Your robe of righteousness. Lord, I want to be a lover of the Word. Give me a hunger to know the Bible and give me wisdom to recognize the counterfeit. I ask for Your strength and discernment to recognize the battles that Satan orchestrates. I choose... to serve only You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
