DO NOT BE DECEIVED

“SUCH PEOPLE ARE NOT SERVING CHRIST OUR LORD; THEY ARE SERVING THEIR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS. BY SMOOTH TALK AND GLOWING WORDS THEY DECEIVE INNOCENT PEOPLE.”
ROMANS 16:18

Do not be deceived by smooth talk and good speech; right is right and wrong is wrong, no amount of flowery oratory can change the absolutes of God’s Creation. There is certainly something within all human nature which does not want to acknowledge the absolutes of this world for absolutes demand that we surrender our will and bow to the will of God. Such surrender is tantamount to our realization that is One who is greater than you and I and like it or not; His ways are higher than our own.

The Apostle warns; we are easily deceived by good rhetoric; men don’t care so much about the truth of what is being said, as long as it is said well. Many an errant preacher files pews weekly, not because he cares about anything more than his own personal security or that he strives to present the truth of God’s Word, but because as errant as he is in saying it, he says it pleasingly.

What people are the subjects of Paul’s address here? “PEOPLE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS AND UPSET PEOPLE’S FAITH BY TEACHING THINGS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT”, for whatever reason, doctrine or ploy, whether in the work place or in the church, whether in your home or in the market, The Apostle warns; “AND NOW I MAKE ONE MORE APPEAL, MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WATCH OUT FOR PEOPLE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS AND UPSET PEOPLE’S FAITH BY TEACHING THINGS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT. STAY AWAY FROM THEM.” What “thing” taught was Paul referencing? He was talking about our understanding that Jesus is the Son of God and is God.

Something within man says if a man speaks well and looks good; he must be right. If he can clearly articulate what he believes; what he believes must be correct. There is however, a difference between a good leader and a politician; a man may be an excellent politician, but not have the interest of his country at heart. A man maybe a great preacher and care one iota whether or not what he is preaching is the Gospel truth, as long as it fills his pews and his pockets.

Paul says, “WATCH OUT FOR PEOPLE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS AND UPSET PEOPLE’S FAITH BY UNSCRIPTURAL TEACHING.” They may sound good, but as the old story goes, just because fly-paper has a lot of other flies on it, doesn’t mean you ought to join them; perhaps they’re all there because there is no escape. AMEN!