How can we encourage others to "avoid" those causing divisions and obstacles? Setting the Stage “Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” Romans 16:17-18 Why This Warning Matters • Division undermines the unity Christ purchased with His blood (Ephesians 4:3) • Obstacles blunt the advance of sound doctrine and gospel witness (1 Timothy 6:3-5) • God expressly hates sowing discord among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19) • “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Seeing the Character of Dividers • They appeal to appetite, not the Lord (Romans 16:18) • Their words are smooth, flattering, deceptively spiritual • They resist apostolic teaching and promote personal agendas • Titus 3:10-11 labels them “divisive” and calls for rejection after two warnings Practical Ways to Encourage Others to Avoid • Share the Scripture openly, letting the plain text speak authority into the situation • Explain that avoidance is an act of obedience, not unkindness • Model healthy boundaries—declining platforms, conversations, and social media interactions that empower divisive voices • Point friends to edifying fellowship so they sense no relational vacuum (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Offer clear examples of sound teaching, supplying books, sermons, and resources anchored in orthodoxy • Remind believers that unity flows from truth, never from appeasing error (John 17:17, 21) • Speak the truth in love when warning about specific patterns, avoiding gossip yet refusing to minimize danger (Ephesians 4:15) What Avoidance Looks Like in Practice • No active listening to or sharing of teachings that contradict apostolic doctrine • No platforming divisive teachers in small groups, social media, or pulpits • No financial support for ministries that foster controversy for selfish gain • Gracious private conversations that urge repentance, coupled with a willingness to step back if no change occurs • Ongoing prayer for those caught in deception while maintaining protective distance (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15) Balancing Grace and Truth • Avoidance is paired with humble self-examination so the same spirit of division finds no foothold in us (Galatians 6:1) • Correction is pursued gently, but firmness follows persistent error (2 Timothy 2:24-26) • The church remains a refuge for the repentant, yet a fortified wall against unrepentant falsehood (2 John 10-11) Guarding Our Hearts Together • Stay rooted in daily Scripture, letting truth shape discernment • Cultivate a culture where doctrine is celebrated, not sidelined • Encourage one another with Christ-centered speech that builds up rather than splinters (Ephesians 4:29) Living out Romans 16:18 equips the body to shine with undivided loyalty to Christ, protecting the flock and magnifying the gospel’s beauty before a watching world. |
    |