"17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
18 For such persons do not serve our LORD CHRIST, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The GOD of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you."
There are some warnings that are not very well stated, like a speed bump, or a tree limb down, or maybe a small bend in the road. There are other warnings that are broadcast with an urgency that could rival some military strategy. Usually the latter are an effort to PROTECT something very dear to the person issuing said warning. In Romans 16:17 the Apostle Paul is concluding his letter to the church at Rome and finished by stating "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them."
That Paul begins this warning with the words "I appeal to you" isn't coincidence, in my opinion. He wanted us (readers of his letter) to know that "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" will use tragedies and disappointments to their own benefit and we need to WATCH CAREFULLY for them. Their only interest is to further 'their own appetites' through 'smooth talk and flattery', trying to change the focus from the real problem to what they want discussed. There are those whose apparent objective is to magnify discord and strife until the problem has been blown way out of proportion!
The last words of verse 17 is something we (me for certain) don't do enough, AVOID THEM! If someone is trying to tear down by sowing discord and strife, Paul advises us to AVOID THEM in very plain language! Conversely, Paul finishes his letter by saying "The GOD of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet". The enemy is no match for 'the GOD of peace' and will soon find out when he is crushed under OUR feet!
The Apostle Paul is warning us to be on the alert for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" in our lives. There are those of 'this world' who will glorify and elevate "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" and will demonize the peacemakers. But scripture instructs us to search out the evil ones and AVOID THEM! "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" are only interested in causing strife and eliminating peace. The enemy has been deceptive like that from the beginning. We have been warned! We need to be on the lookout for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS"!!!
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