Deception

July 20

2 Chronicles 19-20

Psalm 82:1-4

Proverbs 18:13-14

Romans 16

Deception

“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 naïve people.”  Romans 16:17-18 NIV

Yesterday we discussed division among the body of believers.  In Romans 16, Paul addresses dealing with individuals who seek to cause division and dissension.  This topic is much more personal and affects each of us.  We all know people who just like to stir up trouble.  It seems that whatever situation they are in, they are not happy, and they try to make everyone else unhappy, too.  They grumble and complain and go behind the scenes to sow seeds of discontent.  They elevate their own opinions above biblical truth.  If they are in a Bible study, they may seek to draw attention to themselves by contradicting the teacher or getting the discussion off track.  If they don’t like something the pastor said, they will call people during the week and try to get them upset, too.  They twist the truth just enough to make it sound right when it is very wrong.  Smooth talk and flattery can lead many astray.  Paul is very clear on how we should deal with people like this.  We should keep away from them.  This passage is referring to people within the body of Christ who are believers, but instead of seeking peace and unity, they are constantly stirring up division.  Paul has no tolerance for people like this, and we shouldn’t either. 

It is very difficult to deal with people like this because they are usually influential and can persuade others to take their side.  It is uncomfortable to confront people who are causing division.  Sometimes it is best to just distance yourself from them and make sure that you do not fall prey to their persuasion.  But often, they must be dealt with.  This should be done prayerfully and with humility.  Matthew 18 gives us the pattern we should take in confronting fellow believers.  We should confront him and if he refuses to listen, we should take one or two others with us to talk to him.  If he still refuses to listen, we should bring him before the church for discipline, and if he persists in the behavior, he should be removed from the church.  Obviously, we should be very careful how this is done and who does this.  If it is a major issue in the church, the leaders of the church should be involved in this process.  Unfortunately, too often, people like this are left unchecked because no one wants to confront the issue and it results in division and dissension in the church.  We cannot allow them to lead those that are not as mature in their faith astray.  We have an obligation to the body of believers to deal with them decisively.