Do not be deceived!

Text: Romans 16:17-20

Be skeptically observant of others

Pay careful attention to those who are

often involved in conflicts.

Be cautious when giving attention to

those who ridicule others.

Footnotes:

Romans 16: 17 ”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. Proverbs 26:21 “Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife”

Consider the motivation of others

Are they seeking their own welfare?

Are they trying to satisfy their own appetites?

Footnotes:

Romans 16:18 “Watch 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;”

Be discerning of their intentions

What is their motivation?

Are they only seeking their own welfare

Are they trying to satisfy their own dreams?

What is their manner?

Question the use of flattery.

Be cautious of a political charmer.

Beware of those who seek to “tickle the ears.”

Footnotes:

Consider how the New Testament tells us to behave and speak Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification

according to the need of the moment, so that it will give

GRACE to those who hear”.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace,

as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how

you should respond to each person.”

Colossians 3:12-13 “So, as those who have been chosen

of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,

kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing

with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever

has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord

forgave you, so also should you.”

Beware of those who deceive the hearts of the

Unsuspecting

Keep on the alert Luke 21:34-36

Dwell on the things of God Philippians 4:6-8

Pray for discernment Philippians 1:8-10

Footnotes: Luke 21:34-36 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will

not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness

and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you

suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who

dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert

at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape

all these things that are about to take place, and to stand

before the Son of Man.”

Philippians 4:6-8 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your

requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever

is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever

is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if

there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,

dwell on these things.”

Philippians 1:8-10 “And this I pray, that your love may

abound still more and more in real knowledge and all

discernment, so that you may approve the things that

are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until

the day of Christ;” Be circumspect / prudent

DO NOT BE DECEIVED

Be wise in what is good

Be innocent in what is evil

This Tuesday is another opportunity adults in the United States are given the opportunity and privilege to cast their vote to select the people who will govern over them. The influence of FB, Twitter, Internet, The Main Stream Media, Talk Radio, Advertising, and Tik

Tok impacts us in ways we do not always recognize. We now have

people who are making a living as “Influencers.” Paul wrote to the

church at Rome some words of warning to the church so that they

would not fall prey to deception, and that their fellowship would

not be disturbed by others exercising their own agenda. It is a word

of warning for us, and something to consider as we go to vote on

Tuesday.

Romans 16: 17-20 “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.”