Romans 16:17-18
“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. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They’re only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.” -Message Bible
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” -KJV
God’s people are not to sow discord, but are to make peace. God’s people are to be pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be approached – that is, easy to talk to – full of mercy and good works, not showing partiality or being hypocritical. We are to make peace, and avoid those who cause discord and pit one against another.
Remember this, if you see division, strife or confusion— the enemy is present. It’s not from God, but is from this earth, and James said that it was sensual and devilish. Don’t allow yourself to be seduced by disloyalty!
Other words for disloyalty— bad faith, betrayal of trust, breach of trust, deceitfulness, disaffection, double-dealing, faithlessness, falseness, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, seditiousness, subversive activity, treachery, treason, untruthfulness
Remove yourself from these things! Where you find these things, every kind of evil work follows along with them. Use wisdom! A wise man avoids strife and discord and works towards peace. Repent for where you’ve gone wrong in the past, resolve to not walk in these things in your future and move forward in peace and love. I’m working toward peace and love in 2011 and I choose to remove myself from strife and confusion. It’s simple really, sow peace and love…reap peace and love. Sow strife and discord…reap strife and discord. What will you sow and reap in 2011?
