The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans 16:17-20.
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Those who cause dissensions and hindrances are not easily detected. They don’t have horns nor wear red. They don’t wear T-shirts which read: “Question Everything!”. They don’t shout to the crowd. They don’t obviously stir up the crowd to dramatically split them apart.
Rather, they whisper behind the back. They tell half-truths. They listen and smile. They appear righteous. They appear as “angels of light”; “they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting”.
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-14.
That is why Paul urges us to keep an eye on them. If they were so obvious, we would not need to be so careful.
So, as one example, what teaching does Scripture identify as causing dissension or being a hindrance?
“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7.
The whole book of Galatians warns against the hindrance of seeking to be justified or perfected by the Law. “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:1-4.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.” Galatians 5:1-12.
We can understand how deceptive this hindrance is. The false teacher can appear self-righteous by showing off his righteousness based on the Law. The listener can be tempted by the logic (although faulty) that we can only be righteous by our own actions of acting rightly.
But, there is hope!
Scripture can make us wise. Good Reformed creeds, confessions, and catechisms can make sure that we follow sound doctrine and not just be subject to an isolated verse that a teacher hawks.
Moreover, God is in total control and will soon crush Satan under our feet. We have the grace of our Lord Jesus.
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Paul concludes with this hope: “… I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 