HOW TO IDENTIFY AND DEAL WITH DIVISIVE PEOPLE
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 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.19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” – Romans 16:17-20
Divisive People Have Manipulative Speech
Divisive people are often characterized by smooth talk and flattery. Why is ice cream so dangerous? Because it goes down smooth! The things divisive people say will taste great but will have disastrous after-effects. Be careful with those you engage, there are very dangerous side-effects from their conversations. Before you know it your home is divided, your children have gone astray and you are in the divorced courts. Be careful.
It isn’t usually brutish and abrasive ones, who are truly dangerous in the church. They are obviously messed up. It’s the smooth-talking flatterers who sound good and make you feel good about yourself. You’ll want to listen to them and hear their ideas.
- But you’ve got to watch out for those whose words are smoother than their lives,
- Those who can speak well of you to your face and ill of you behind your back.
They don’t care about the truth so much as the effect they can produce in you with their words. They are manipulative. You will find lots of then on social media making confusion under “fake names”, but they will be exposed and the truth will come out sooner or later. Yet, when they meet you they will talk about Jesus and bring down God from heaven and I warn you to be very careful. Take the warning that I am giving you today. It is later than we can ever think.
