I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them… The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
—Romans 16:17-20
As Paul brings this great letter to a close, he’s been overflowing with love and gratitude, greeting the believers who supported him. But love does more than greet, love protects. And so, before his final goodbye, Paul gives a strong, urgent warning. He loves the church too much to leave it undefended against those who would destroy or pervert the faith.
“Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught.” Notice that the danger Paul warns about most often comes not from outside the church, but from inside, from people who appear to belong but actually undermine the truth. He says they “by smooth talk and flattery deceive the hearts of the naive.” That’s how false teaching usually works. It rarely announces itself as error. It comes charming, winsome, sophisticated, and sweet-sounding.
Jesus warned of the very same thing: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” And John tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This is a battle every generation of Christians must fight until the Lord returns.
Now I can already hear someone object: “That sounds so unloving.” But no, love protects! When you truly love someone, you do everything possible to guard them from what would harm them. A parent who warns a child away from a cliff isn’t being unkind; they’re being loving. The reason the Bible is full of these warnings is that the human soul is so precious to God.
Notice, too, where the lie always strikes. It goes back to the Garden, when the serpent asked, “Has God said?” That’s always the strategy, to deny, dilute, and put a question mark over the Word of God. The battle for the Bible rages in every age. The antidote is to know what you believe and why, so that when the smooth talk comes, you recognize it for what it is.
And here’s the glorious promise Paul attaches to the warning: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Notice that it’s future tense, and notice that it’s certain. The father of lies will be crushed, and everyone who follows him with him. We don’t fight this battle in fear or in doubt about the outcome. We fight it knowing the victory is already secured in Christ.
So be alert. Defend the faith, “always being prepared to make a defense”, yet “with gentleness and respect.” Guard your own heart, your family, your children, and your church from the lies of the enemy. And take heart: the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will be with you. This is the essential gospel, and it ends in victory.
LOVE PROTECTS. EXPECT, DETECT, AND REJECT FALSE TEACHING, FOR THE GOD OF PEACE WILL SOON CRUSH SATAN UNDER YOUR FEET.
