READ: Ecclesiastes 3,4; Psalms 54; Romans 16
SCRIPTURE: Romans 16: 17 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.
18 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.
OBSERVATION: In the last
five chapters of the book of Romans, Apostle Paul gives great emphasis on
practical Christianity. Before he concludes the epistle, Paul remembers many who
have helped him in the Gospel work; and he warns the Roman Church concerning false
teaching and false teachers. Romans 16:17,18, Paul shares practical tips on how
to deal with false teachings. First, we need to identify those who preach
against apostolic teaching. False teachings often come with sugar-coated words
and make us believe that they are scriptural. But, they essentially differ from
the Gospel, divide Christians, and cause them to stumble in their spiritual
life. We need to figure out such false teachings and those who preach them. The
second step against any false teaching is that we must avoid them. False
preachers, whomever they may be, we should show them the place they deserve.
They have no business in church affairs. Paul urges, “Keep away from them.”
It may sound harsh to some Christians
and may raise questions about loving people. Paul explains his reasoning to
reject false teachers. They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ; they are
enemies of the cross. False teachings usually promote the selfish idea and greed
of a false teacher. False teachers deceive people by projecting themselves as warriors
of faith and pretend to preach the true Gospel of Christ. Thirdly, we should
know that they do not glorify Jesus Christ. They aim to gratify their own
desires and receive worldly gains. They do not have the mind of Christ. So false
teachers do not bother to deceive Christians.
APPLICATION: I need to be watchful
against false teachers and their teachings. I should not allow them to cause
confusion and divisions among Christians. I do not need to listen to their
deceiving teachings. They are of no help to my spiritual growth. I should stay
away from any false teachers. My goal is
to serve the Lord Jesus and glorify him in everything.
PRAYER: Jesus, Thank you
for the warning against false teachers. Lord, help me to stand for the truth of
the Gospel and speak the truth in love. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
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