So we know who these people are. But before we get back to Romans, I want us to consider two very serious questions. 1. How important is God's view of unity? And 2. How does God see division or those who cause division? We know who these people are, but how does God see them?
[Psalm 133:1 NASB] 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
The psalmist goes on to compare this unity with the anointing of Aaron as a priest and the place, Mount Hermon, from which God commanded the blessing; life forever. To God, unity is as good and pleasing as His priesthood and eternal life.
[Proverbs 6:16-19 NASB] 16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty (proud) eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness [who] utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Those are heavy words! Okay, back to Romans:
[Rom 16:17-20 NASB] 17 Now I urge you (I think we have a much better understanding of how important this was to Paul), brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord (Jesus) Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
Notice it's the "unsuspecting" that are targeted. False teachers, heretics, those who divide are just like bullies and abusers; they pick on the weak. Knowing this helps us to understand not only the Christian value of maturity but also an important reason behind it, specifically that we not get duped by divisive people, that we don't allow them to bully us or others (keep an eye on them)!
[1Co 3:1-3 NASB] 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able [to receive it.] Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. (How does Paul know this? What is he seeing that makes him think they are fleshly?) For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
In [1Co 14:20 NASB] 20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
The problems with immaturity are multifaceted, but in our context, the problem is that people are easily divided.
This was a problem in the Old Testament too. In Jeremiah's day, God's people were an utter mess.
[Jer 4:22 NASB] 22 "For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know."
If you know the history of Israel, then you would know that while Jeremiah and others were prophesying God's truth and a call to repentance, "false shepherds" were declaring peace, safety, and prosperity to the nation, even though they were living in sinful rebellion!
Quite honestly this sounds like many today and yes even many in the church. Teachers are telling people what their itching ears want to hear. The antidote to this deception is Christian maturity.