¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Romans 16:17-18 NKJV

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul sought to strengthen and encourage the believers in the church to keep maturing and growing in their faith. Paul spoke to the fact that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of the Lord, but thanks to Christ, we have a redeemer that has reconciled the sincere believer to the Lord. Paul continued to encourage the sincere believer to grow in love and learn to live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18).

Then we see where Paul said to note – be on watch – for those that cause divisions and works that are contrary to the doctrine of God. The doctrine of God calls on us to love as love is where our strength is. In love there is uplifting, elevating and progress. God’s desire for all of mankind is for us to be fruitful and to multiply – to elevate and to progress. You know what works against being fruitful and multiplying? Divisions.

One of, if not the worst thing that man has allowed to persist throughout time is the dividing heart and tongue. With division has come all kinds of evils, for example – oppression and even wars. We must not ever take lightly those that work to divide. As Paul said, dividers are serving no one but themselves. Let all of us who are of sincere faith make sure that we are always moving in a manner to love, to elevate, and to uplift those around us.