Be Wise In Good, Innocent In Evil
Know the Truth So Well That Error Stands Out
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 16:19-20 CSB - The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
OBSERVATION:
In Romans 16, Paul greets many of his companions and friends at the close of this letter. This final chapter reveals the depth of Paul’s personal relationships within the body of Christ and his appreciation for fellow laborers in the gospel.
Yet before he closes, he issues two significant warnings—both deeply relevant to the church today:
1. Guard against Division and Deception (Romans 16:17-18)
Paul warns us to watch out for those who would cause division and offenses in the church. At the same time, be careful not to dwell on them. Rather, dwell on the truth. We can become so consumed by division and deception that we forget the importance of the truth that sets us free.
Romans 16:19-20 CSB - The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
OBSERVATION:
In Romans 16, Paul greets many of his companions and friends at the close of this letter. This final chapter reveals the depth of Paul’s personal relationships within the body of Christ and his appreciation for fellow laborers in the gospel.
Yet before he closes, he issues two significant warnings—both deeply relevant to the church today:
1. Guard against Division and Deception (Romans 16:17-18)
Paul warns us to watch out for those who would cause division and offenses in the church. At the same time, be careful not to dwell on them. Rather, dwell on the truth. We can become so consumed by division and deception that we forget the importance of the truth that sets us free.
This is essential to God’s purpose for the church. Truth without unity leads to pride; unity without truth leads to a departure from the true gospel itself. Each of these must be guarded against. – David Guzik
2. Be Wise in Good, Innocent in Evil (Romans 16:19-20)
Paul calls believers to know good deeply—to be immersed in it. But when it comes to evil, we are to remain innocent and untouched by its ways
Paul calls believers to know good deeply—to be immersed in it. But when it comes to evil, we are to remain innocent and untouched by its ways
It is of far more use to know the good than it is to know the evil, to learn about the genuine rather than the counterfeit. – David Guzik
Like bank tellers trained to detect counterfeit money by handling the real thing, we are to be so familiar with God’s truth that falsehood is immediately apparent.
Jesus said:
John 8:31-32 - "If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Truth frees us. Evil enslaves. So why fixate on evil? The world already knows it's broken. What it needs is the good news—the truth of the gospel.
Romans 6:23 CSB - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
APPLICATION:
In today’s world of 24/7 media and nonstop bad news, ask yourself:
Do I know more about the evil in the world or the goodness of God’s Word?
If our minds are consumed by fear, outrage, and anxiety, we may need to refocus. Turn off the noise, open the Word, be wise in what is good, and grow in the gospel. Let the peace of Christ rule your heart.
Paul reminds us that God Himself will deal with evil:
Romans 16:20 CSB - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
One day, Satan will be utterly defeated.
Revelation 20:10 NKJV - The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Evil will end, yet God’s grace will endure forever.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for being the God of Peace. Thank You for this letter to the Romans, which makes this very clear. When I find myself lacking peace in my life, may I turn to what is good—Your Word—and find the Truth that sets me free. As I become more acquainted with Your Word, may others see that I have peace—not because evil doesn’t exist—but because You are greater than it all.
Jesus said:
John 8:31-32 - "If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Truth frees us. Evil enslaves. So why fixate on evil? The world already knows it's broken. What it needs is the good news—the truth of the gospel.
Romans 6:23 CSB - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
APPLICATION:
In today’s world of 24/7 media and nonstop bad news, ask yourself:
Do I know more about the evil in the world or the goodness of God’s Word?
If our minds are consumed by fear, outrage, and anxiety, we may need to refocus. Turn off the noise, open the Word, be wise in what is good, and grow in the gospel. Let the peace of Christ rule your heart.
Paul reminds us that God Himself will deal with evil:
Romans 16:20 CSB - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
One day, Satan will be utterly defeated.
Revelation 20:10 NKJV - The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Evil will end, yet God’s grace will endure forever.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for being the God of Peace. Thank You for this letter to the Romans, which makes this very clear. When I find myself lacking peace in my life, may I turn to what is good—Your Word—and find the Truth that sets me free. As I become more acquainted with Your Word, may others see that I have peace—not because evil doesn’t exist—but because You are greater than it all.
Fill your mind with God’s truth and goodness, and you’ll recognize evil without becoming consumed by it.
Posted in 06 - Romans
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