Romans 16:1-27 A Final Warning

...Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. ...To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.Romans 16:1-27 NASB

In this closing chapter of Romans, Paul sends personal greetings to many of the people in Rome. In the middle of these greetings, he takes time out for one last warning to the church.

It seems almost inevitable that wolves will try to sneak in among the sheep. This is so because Satan wants the church to fail. He will do everything he can to kill, to steal, and to destroy God's work.

We who are mature in the faith ought to watch over and help those who are younger or weaker in the faith.

It is up to us to recognize those in our midst who are stirring up trouble. They may use a variety of tactics to create dissension, such as gossip and backbiting. They may more subtly try to create doubt in the word of God, or in the other believers. They may entice vulnerable people into compromising their faith.

The manipulations of the enemy are endless, and it is impossible to know every tactic he will employ, but that should not frighten us, or cause us consternation.

The U.S. treasury department trains agents to spot counterfeit bills. Knowing that they can't possibly predict every potential counterfeit method, they are trained to recognize every detail of an authentic bill. Anything that does not match the original is counterfeit.

In the same way, we do not need to study all ways in which the church might be deceived. If you spend all of your time studying cults and what they believe, you can become confused and entangled in the very thing you are trying to protect yourself from. And who among us needs to be well versed in all the ways of sin?

As Paul said, "but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil."

Study the Bible to know what is true. We know that whatever is contrary to Scripture is false, whether that be a false teaching or wrong behavior.

Pray.

Get to know God a very personal level. Spend some quiet time in your prayers and learn to hear his voice. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" [John 10:27]. He will speak to your spirit and bear witness when something is not right in the spiritual world around you. Listen to Him, and He will keep your paths straight and clear.

If you are a younger Christian, or you have never been taught to rely on God, don't be ashamed to ask a more experienced believer for guidance. Do be careful to ask somebody whose example you know and trust, and who is trusted by others.

Also remember, it is not your job to defeat Satan. We are not called to take the battle to him. Ephesians 6:13 says, "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." [Ephesians 6:13]. We are not told to take up the armor of God so that we can storm the gates of hell. Rather, we are to be prepared, so that when the devil comes against us, we can continue to stand.

God will be the one to crush Satan. To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.