Bullets from the Bible 02-20-18
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Romans 16:17-18 says, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 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."
This is an interesting verse and is often misread. This verse is not telling to note those who cause divisions and offenses...but rather note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to doctrine. It is often the case that standing for the truth of doctrine will lead to divisions and people being offended. Many times there are those who don't want to hear the truth or don't want to obey. Those who don't want to obey doctrine will quickly point fingers at those who stand for truth. They will tell them that they are not supposed to cause trouble, divisions, and that they are offending people. Yet many times truth is offensive.
These people who teach contrary to doctrine are described here as not serving Christ, but rather serving their own bellies. These people use smooth words and flattering speech to deceive people into following their lies.
We are responsible individually to know and follow doctrine. We can't depend on anyone else to teach us truth without first comparing that doctrine to the word God has given us. It is easy to be deceived and much if not most of the religious leaders out there are deceiving people and serving their own bellies. We are to note those people and avoid them so that we can find truth, know truth, and live it!
