Innocent Concerning Evil

Posted on May 13, 2007

 

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Romans 16:17-20

In this passage, Paul talks about handling people who cause divisions within the church on a doctrinal basis. He’s not talking about personal differences, but differences over major areas of theology. The key phrase is “I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”

I can remember some of the moments in my life when I first became aware of some of the horrible realities of life on earth. There was a time when I knew nothing about alcohol, drugs, domestic abuse, world hunger, pornography, etc. But then some kind of exposure came, not necessarily through personal experience, but perhaps by observing the media or simply interacting with people from different experiences.

Wouldn’t it be great to go back to a time when we didn’t know about such things? We can’t travel back in time, but we can endeavor to keep all the innocence we have by guarding our hearts from false teachings.

HANDLING DECEIVERS…

Mark them.

Paul gives us several identifying marks of deceivers…

• They cause division.
• They have an untrue doctrine that contradicts the teaching of the Bible.
• They are self-serving, but smooth-talking.

Avoid them.

This is a difficult teaching, but Paul advises us to avoid people who would influence us with error. We want to be a witness, but we also must make sure that we avoid continually exposing ourselves to false teaching because it will effect a genuine faith.

Be innocent concerning them.

Jesus said it best in Matthew 10:16 when he sent out the seventy and advised them to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” That’s a difficult balance to strike, but it’s essential if we’re going to live in this world, but not of it.

Be obedient to the truth.

Paul commended the Romans because their obedience was known to people around the Christian world. He urges them to go on and to continue demonstrating their obedience to the truth that they already know.

Be encouraged - truth wins!

He then reminds them that Satan will shortly be bruised under their feet. Jesus’ resurrection was the nail in Satan’s coffin, but his final overthrow has not come yet. In fact, false teachers will abound more and more as we progress toward the climax of history. But the ultimate deceiver will see his ultimate demise! He’ll be cast into the lake of fire forever.

Thank God He has given us the truth about ourselves (that we’re sinners), about Jesus (that He saves) and about how we can have eternal life (by turning to Jesus and trusting Him alone). Have you turned to Him in repentance and faith today?