Hello All,
The urgency of Paul in his warning.
That is what ended up grabbing my attention as I studied our text this week.
- (Romans 16:17 NIV84) I urge you, brothers, 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.
- (Romans 16:17 The Message) One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth.
Even though Paul warns us of savage wolf attacks (Acts 20:28–32), we so often think, “But not us. Not in our fellowship. No one here would be a false teacher. We are nice folks.”
And, yet, here in his final comments in Romans, Paul warns us of these very things. So maybe we should take notice?
God in his wisdom is telling us to sit up and take notice. To watch out for false teachers. And to avoid false teachers.
Yes, we could go to the extreme and carry out witch hunts, finding a false teacher under every spiritual rock. Some do that. But that is not the norm. Usually we do the opposite. Sometimes we more interested in being nice … and courteous … than being faithful to God and his word.
And our churches suffer for it.
Why is Paul so urgent? Because it really does come down to heaven or hell.
Paul tells us that these people use smooth talk and flattery to deceive the unsuspecting. False teachers know what we like to hear. They say things close enough, and because we do not listen carefully to what is actually being said, then way too often close enough is good enough.
And that may be good enough for church on earth, but it will be to our shame before the throne of God if we do not honor him now.
Once in heaven, we will never again have the opportunity to stand in light and love against the darkness of sin. So what will it be?
- PDF LESSON 42 Watch Out for False Teachers : Romans 16-17-23 : FFC : dave scott : 081615 STUDY SHEET ONE
- PDF LESSON 42 Watch Out for False Teachers : Romans 16-17-23 : FFC : dave scott : 081615 STUDY SHEET TWO
