Wise and Innocent

Rom. 16:19

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

 

Paul is giving final instructions to the many people that have ministered alongside him. In conclusion, he tells them to watch out for those who cause divisions. Such people as these are out for their own appetites. By using smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of those who know no better.  Even though their obedience is known to all [wouldn't that be a wonderful thing! What a reputation!], they still have to be on guard. He wants them to be wise to what is good but innocent to what is evil. They don't have to partake of evil to know that it is evil. They only have to see that it is not good. Once evil has come into the life, it is so difficult to remove it. So don't allow it in your life at all. Instead just dwell and flourish in God's good, the good word, the good Savior, the good Spirit, and the good God.

 

Father,

I see this great truth, and yet at the same time I see the power of the temptation to evil. Keep me wise to Your good and completely free of anything evil. Grow me in Your good.

In Jesus name,

Amen