Avoid them

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.– Romans 16.17-18

There are not a lot of times that we are told to avoid people. The vast majority of the time we are told to be engaging with people. Living the gospel is all about living and sharing the gospel before everyone.

In 2 John we are told to not receive those who preach a false gospel.

But here there is a very clear warning given. Not those who cause divisions and offences based on false teaching and avoid them.

The words for these folks are pretty harsh. ‘They don’t serve Christ. They serve their own bellies. They use smooth word and flattering speech to deceive the simple.’

In other words we need to be very wary of dividers in the church. We need to be aware of those who have their own agendas. Their agenda is not Christ’s. It is them and their ‘bellies.’ We need to admonish and exhort and all that, but when they refuse to listen we must avoid them.

Their smooth words and their flattering speech are tricky and deceptive. Maybe we consider ourselves not ‘simple’ but I think we need to be very careful about stepping into battle with these folks.

‘Mark those who cause division against the true gospel and avoid them’ is pretty good counsel for God’s people.