Romans 16:17-18

     Vs. 17-- “Now I beseech you (ask you urgently), brethren, mark (take particular notice of) them which cause divisions (disunion, discord, difference) and offences (anger, displeasure, cause of stumbling) contrary to the doctrine (opposite of  the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles) which ye have learned (been taught and know); and avoid (keep distance from) them.”

    Vs. 18-- “For they that are such (causing disunion and anger) serve not our Lord Jesus Christ (they don’t seek His honor) but their own belly (heart; carnal lusts, sensual pleasures); and by good words (concerning themselves; plausable speeches), and fair speeches (enticing by soft words) deceive the hearts (misleads the understanding) of the simple (not wise).”

          There are people in this world that are trying to deceive us from what we know is true. I think in these 2 verses, Paul gives us 3 steps on how to keep from being deceived by the world.

1)   “…mark them…”, Take notice of them. Do the people around you cause separation? Do they cause anger? Are they a stumbling block to you as a Christian? These are the such that Paul is warning us to take notice of, and to not make close relations with them.

2)   “…avoid them.” Don’t find yourself around them often. For they are not serving Christ, but their own selves, and doing what feels good to them! With their plausable and enticing speeches, they can cause us to turn away from our Lord, and from what we know we should do.

3)   “…they…deceive the hearts of the simple.” The “simple” are the ones that are foolish, unlearned, and unwise. To keep from being deceived, we need to have wisdom. If we ask for wisdom, keep in the Bible, and doing what we know is right, God will reward us, and give us wisdom. God wants you to have wisdom, He is just waiting for you to ask (Jam. 1:5)! And Paul goes on to say in verse 19… “I  would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”! Prov. 4:7, “…therefore get wisdom.