Romans 16:17-20 NKJV
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 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. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In this last chapter of the book of Romans, Paul warns us avoid those in life who cause divisions and offenses in the body of Christ. Thinking about this, the first thing that we need to check is our own hearts though - long before we point fingers to others. We need to ask the question of ourselves first. Do I cause division and offense in the body of Christ? If the Holy Spirit convicts us of our own attitude and behaviour in this regard, we need to repent and change our ways. It does not help to blame and point fingers to others while we are guilty ourselves. We are to live in peace with others and conduct ourselves in love and kindness towards the other members of the body of Christ. Let us not make ourselves guilty of serving our own bellies and deceiving the hearts of the simple with smooth and flattering words. Let us be the ones whose obedience is known to all, being wise in what is good and simple concerning evil. And then let us rejoice in the fact that our God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet! What an amazing encouragement to end this book with!
Point to ponder
Our God will soon crush Satan under our feet - but let us learn to live from the spirit in all these things so that we do not open the door for the enemy's deception, but let God change our hearts and minds to portray the fruit of the Spirit.
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