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
The Danger of Divisive People
Why is this so dangerous? Because it will destroy the naive and ruin lives. Note that Paul says divisive people “deceive the hearts of the naive.” They don’t just deceive the naive – they deceive their hearts. This is the innermost part, the very identity. Divisive people do not only corrupt vulnerable Christians, but they also reprogram their hearts to falseness. I want you to look closely at this dangerous trend moving around in the Church, both men and women. They are on a mission to kill and destroy, but I have good news for you that Jesus came to give life in abundance. Hallelujah, and I am inviting you to get on board if you are not there already?
This was Satan’s approach in the Garden of Eden. Way back when, he slithered up to naive Eve in the form of a serpent. Now he slithers up to naive Christians in the form of divisive church people. Make no mistake: divisiveness, doctrinal obstacles, manipulative speech – these things are evil.
After all, that’s what Paul calls them in Romans Chapter 16 and verse 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.
We must bend away from such people because they are in league with Satan himself and will destroy the unsuspecting in our church. You cannot say Paul didn’t warn you and neither can you walk away and say you were not warned by this writer. I have done my best to be informative and to encourage you to look for the things that you have missed.
