10/6/25

Romans 16:17 NASB95 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Paul gives a warning to believers that many today have ignored to their own detriment. Many a Christian has been led astray by friends and family members who are lost or straying. Christians who desire to draw their loved ones to Christ often find themselves entangled in sin while attempting to spend time and show love to others. They show up at your house during church hours, and we feel the need to visit with them; therefore, we have been pulled into sin by forsaking the assembly. They invite us to a party that includes sinful behavior. We go, but in an effort to be a witness, we do not partake of the sinful activity. We think of this as a witness, but because we don't voice our disgust or leave, they perceive it as acceptance, and we have ruined our witness. The more we sin in such a manner by not removing ourselves from the sin the more we start to accept it. We have now been pulled away by those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned.

Paul warns we must keep our eyes open and make sure we do not allow them to pull us away from a life of desiring obedience to God.

It is best for us to be a witness to them at times in which we are not tempted to sin.

Remove yourself from temptation. We did not allow our teen children to be in their bedroom alone with someone of the opposite sex because we know of the temptation. We must do the same with ourselves.

Do not hang out with those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned. Speak to them in places where you are not tempted and when they get involved in sin, reveal to them their sin, and as Paul says, you must turn away from them.

If their sinful behavior is hindering you from attending church, then invite them to join you and explain that you must go because you love your Lord and Savior, Jesus.

If their sin is gossip, and it tempts you to join in. Then, in love, say this is gossip and a sin, it tempts me to join in, so can we change the subject? If not I am going to have to leave. Then leave if they continue.

If the sin is sexual, let them know that sex was designed by God to be a part of marriage, and all other sexual actions outside of God's design are sin. Then let them know that you must leave in obedience to your Lord and Savior Jesus.

If the sin is false teaching. Then pull them aside and kindly correct them. If they refuse to listen leave and explain to them you can not be a part of false teaching against your Lord and Savior Jesus. To avoid these things and many others I have not mentioned we must be active in the word of God.

Basically, what Paul is describing is to be like Joseph and flee from sin so as not to be led astray.

Love Bro. Scott