“Wise As To What Is Good And Innocent As To What Is Evil”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn Romans 16:19 ESV, the inspired writer Paul provides us a great principle of truth. He first encourages us to be wise — exercising discernment and good judgment regarding things that are good. Secondly, he urges us to be innocent — harmless, guiltless, and unadulterated concerning matters that are evil.
Paul’s use of the above principle concerns the divisive false doctrines of those discussed in Romans 16:17-18. We are instructed to note any false teachers and avoid them, for they only serve their own lusts and will lead the undiscerning astray if they are not dealt with immediately.
However, before we can identify the false teachers and their teachings, we must be wise in good or correct teachings so we can properly discern between the two (cf. Hebrews 5:14 ESV). If we become wise to good and sound doctrine, we will not allow false opinions of men to go unchallenged under the cloak of an ungodly tolerance.
Sadly, it is too often the case that we become wise to the damnable doctrines of men because we are searching for something complex, emotionally exciting, or more sophisticated than the simple truth contained in the gospel of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:12-13).
Thus, some members of the Lord’s church will waste their time and money on some religious “best seller” written from a denominational viewpoint. Such members choose to remain “simple” to God’s truth because to them, it is too unexciting and unsophisticated. Thus, they will neither study the Scriptures for themselves (Acts 17:11 ESV) or listen to much preaching from the inspired Scriptures (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-4).
Brethren, God wants us to fill our minds and lives with things that are acceptable to Him (Philippians 4:8-9; cf. John 8:28-29) — not some damnable false teaching from uninspired men (Gal. 1:6-12). We may have to live in the world, but we don’t have to partake of the world’s evil solicitations (cf. James 1:13 ESV; Habakkuk 1:13 ESV; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). In fact, if something even appears to have a “form” or design of evil — it is more than likely evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV).
Related Articles:
- “Examine Everything Carefully”
- Beware Of Satan’s Traps!
- “Overcome Evil With Good”
- Morality And The Unchanging Nature Of God
- Doing Wrong Is Always Wrong!
- Are We Satan’s Innocent Assistants?