Scriptural Separation

Romans 16:17-20

Mankind has been trying to promote a unified world almost from the beginning. It was the goal for the Tower of Babel as we find in Genesis 11:4. “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” God destroyed that plan because it would empower rebellion against him, since they would no longer see any need for him.

The Satanically empowered Beast of Revelation 13 is a leader who unites the world, according to Revelation 17. He uses religion to gain control, under the auspices of a false prophet. Revelation 19:20 describes his end. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

Today we are constantly told that we need to work for world peace, and especially if we are Christians. Christ said exactly the opposite in Luke 12:51. “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.” The idea that we should just all get together and not worry about what God says is totally anti Christian. Jesus stressed that Christians are not part of the world in John 17:14, and will not be accepted because they are different. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”


On the other hand there should be unity between believers. Jesus prayed for unity among them in John 17:20-22. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.”

Paul stated that divisions and controversies were proof of a worldly, unspiritual state in I Corinthians 3:3. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? In Romans 14 and 15 he stated that we were not to let opinions or beliefs become issues when the scripture gave no clear guidance. These are not the kind of issues Paul is talking about when he commands us to separate from certain ones.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)

We are to separate ourselves from those who are teaching things contrary to God’s word. I Timothy 4: 1-4 gives example of the kinds of things thy will teach. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

The teachings range from outright denial of God, and idolatry, to setting standards of diet, or dress which God has not set. They are teaching these things because they have turned their backs on the truth. These teachings and the conflict they cause make us aware of who is actually serving God properly, as I Corinthians 11:19 states. “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” When controversies and false doctrines arise, someone is not letting God lead them.

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:18)

These teachers are not teaching to please God, but to gain some advantage for themselves. It may be to convince others of their own goodness like the Pharisees, to sell books, or get people to give them money, or to just control people. They teach these things fool and lead the uninformed and untaught away from the truth. Titus 1:10-11 declares, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”

The only way to prevent the spreading of the confusion is to stop their message from being heard or believed. We should try to show them what God said, because they may have just believed what some one else said, but if they persist, we must not allow them to speak to our people, not should we imply we agree by associating with them. Titus 3:10-11 instructs, “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” If he refuses to listen to God’s word, clearly he has a different agenda.

If he is allowed to teach, it will result in ungodly behavior and sin in the church, and turn people away. I Timothy 6:3-5 again warns to get away from such teachers. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

The Christians at Berea were declared to be greater than those in Thessalonica because of their study of the scripture in Acts 17:11. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. II Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” If we recognize that we cannot depend on any man, but only God for truth, and study God’s word, the Holy spirit will guide us to the truth. Romans 3:4 warns we must understand that the best scholars and authors can still be wrong. “…let God be true, but every man a liar…” Following man’s ideas is the most common source of heresy and conflict, so test everything against the scripture. If you do, they can say the same thing Paul says about the church at Rome.

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Romans 16:19-20)

We are often told we need to know what various cults or false teachers are teaching. As a result some devote much of their time to studying these things. Paul said he’d rather they not know these things, concentrating on the truth instead. It isn’t relevant what others believe. The only thing that really matters is that you do what God wants. II Timothy 3:14 commands, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”