Today’s Devotion
Topic: Being Wise In Your Obedience.
Text: Romans 16: 19
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Amen.
Some of us have gotten it mixed up! Not every auditorium decorated with a wooden cross represents the house of God; not everyone bearing the title Apostle, Bishop, Reverend, Pastor or Teacher is called by God; not everyone calling out “Lord! Lord!” is known by the Lord; not every song bearing the name of Jesus is gospel, and certainly, it is not everyone singing about Jesus that has a relationship with Him.
Many of us have become so religious and yet not Christian; such that everything that looks ‘sacred’ automatically earns our reverence without the slightest verification. We have no time to test the spirits; no time to check the scriptures for confirmation; and certainly no time to look out for the fruits the individuals bear either. If it sounds and looks like Jesus, we are all for it.
Apostle Paul observed a similar situation among the Romans so he wrote to them saying, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Rom 16: 17- 19)
So you see, there are some out there whose mission is to cause divisions and put obstacles in our way that are contrary to sound doctrine for their own personal gain. Their target is to deceive the minds of NAIVE people. That is why although it is commendable that you be obedient, it is important that you don’t do so ignorantly.
When the fruit of the minister demonstrates perversion; perversion it is. If the sermon sounds contrary to the sound doctrine you know from the Bible; false teaching it is. When the practices of the church appear fetish and inconsistent with Christian practices; fetish it is. Don’t be carried away by the flamboyant display of religious symbols and presentations. Neither should you let your high sense of loyalty keep you where JESUS is not!
Refuse to join anyone with an itchy ear or one whose desire is to chase after miracles, signs and wonders. Study the scriptures to know for yourself what the mind of God is regarding your situation; become prayerful, and your obedience will be an informed choice and not that of naivety or eye service. That will be too costly.
Pray for a discerning heart; one that seeks only to please the Lord Jesus Christ. Where He is not, you cannot be! Where the Holy Spirit convicts you to be out, out you should go. You will not only be very obedient but also wise about what is good. The deceiver can search for another victim; NOT YOU!
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