Sometimes in life, it is beneficial to be leery of certain things and people. To be leery is to be cautious or suspicious. It is a feeling of distrust of people who may have hurt you, or because of something that has happened to someone else. If you are leery of situations, you need to check out all the information you have been given before you pass judgment on people.
In Romans 16, Paul provides some final instructions at the end of his letter to the church at Rome. In Romans 16:17, Paul uses the word beseech. This word means to strongly urge, or in our vernacular, it would mean to beg. This shows us the importance of what he is seeking to teach them. He says to “mark” them. He is telling them to be on guard, to observe attentively those who try to stir up trouble. There are always those in any group who want to make things appear different from what they are. He is specifically speaking about those who do not believe or adhere to the doctrine of the New Testament church. Paul’s instruction is to avoid these people.
In many churches, this would be difficult, especially in a small congregation. In a situation where you cannot avoid interacting with this person, the verse in Matthew 5:37 where Jesus is speaking and gives instructions to us on how to speak to those “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” He is teaching them that sometimes, when we give more than a yes or no answer, we are prone to say things that paint the picture the way we want it. There are those who seek to start gossip and delight in engaging in it. These people and these situations are to be avoided.
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
It is right and good to be leery of such people. In verse 18, Paul says they are self-servers, not God servers. They may say good things or flattering words, but the design is to deceive the hearts of the simple. The Greek word for simple means those who are unsuspecting or innocent. Those who are babies in Christ may be unaware of all the truth about how to live and follow Christ. They must be taught, and it is very important who teaches them. If their relationships are with those Paul says to stay away from, they could be harmed greatly.
Romans 16:18 “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.”
I believe in every congregation, there are those whom we need to be leery of. They are usually those who profess Christ and may be saved, but they are not progressing in their walk with the Lord. They delight in being “in the know” and telling others about the problems of others. The devil loves these people because if he cannot keep them from being saved, and he cannot, the next best thing is to keep them from being a godly influence on others. They are a terrible example to the world of what a Christian should be, and they are a bad influence on those who seek to grow. They do not see themselves as God does and refuse to think they are the problem.
It is vital to our spiritual growth that we are close enough to God to identify these people. We must seek the wisdom of God and determine that we love Him enough to obey. John 14:15 teaches us in clear, simple language that if we love God, we will obey Him. If you are tempted to gossip with certain people, plan your time so that you are not around them. When they are critical of the church or those who attend, speak up for those people or let them know you do not want to talk about others. If you refuse to listen, they will soon start gossiping to someone else, or maybe they will become convicted and repent.
Please pay attention to the attitudes and words of others and be leery of those who do not be deceived by others as in I Corinthians 15:33. Be wise and stay away from them as we are taught in Proverbs 20:19.
I Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.”
Proverbs 20:19 “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”
