ROMANS 16:17-20

Ever since the church was formed and Christianity come into being both have been plagued by troublemakers. These people have desired to either see the church destroyed, or to see the great truths of Christianity defeated.
This should not be a surprise. After all, Jesus Himself predicted the rise of troublemakers in the church, Matt. 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Even in the early days of the fledgling church, the Apostle Paul said this, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.", Acts 20:29-30.
With the modern advance in technology we see more than ever these trouble makers coming among Christians especially with the ease of the internet. Very sadly there seems to have been a rise in this kind of person on this chat site, even more sadly there seems to be an unwillingness or inability by the powers that be to deal with this problem.
Very clearly after 2,000 years the troublemakers are still with us! That's right, there are still those within and without the church who work against the plan of God and seek to mold the church to their likeness or desire to argue endlessly with no thought of really finding the truth. When attacked on their beliefs they turn to personal attack and innuendo, if however this is returned in kind these troublemakers immediately turn to the powers that be and complain long and bitterly. The result is that the Christian is silenced or rebuked by the powers that be and the troublemaker goes merrily on.
Therefore, it will do us good to hear what the Bible says about How To Handle Troublemakers . So that when trouble arises, we will be able to identify it and deal it a death blow before serious damage is done to the church of God and the people of God or this chat service. ! Another benefit of looking at a topic like this is so that we can avoid being used by the devil to cause trouble in the House of God.
Let's look at what Paul has to say about How To Handle Troublemakers.
Paul tells us that there are some tale tell signs associated with those who would cause trouble in and outside the church. Their deeds prove them to be just what they are. Remember what Jesus said, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.", Matt. 7:20.)
They Are Divisive - Paul uses two words here that describe what the troublemakers do in the house of God. The first is the word "divisions". It means "to splinter of cause dissensions." The other word is "offences", it means "to lay a trap or snare in the path of another to cause them to stumble." We get our word "scandal" from this word.
How do they do this? They come in and begin to teach and argue and tear down and speak contrary to what the Bible says. They sometimes twist the word of God to attempt to teach things that are not biblical and thereby lead people astray. I have personally sat on the side of a room and observed this This is the tactic of the cults and trouble makers in our world.
The devil loves nothing better than this! He loves to introduce something into the life of the church that will divide the flock, then he can do massive damage in the midst of God's people. This is exactly what is happening on this chat site at the moment.
To the powers that be I give this warning Watch out for people who possess a divisive spirit! Watch out for those who would teach things contrary to the truth of the Bible.
They Are Dishonest – scripture tells us that these people may pretend to have pure motives , but there are two problems with their profession.
1.) Most are not even saved.
2.) They don't care about the church or Gods people, only about themselves, their power and their personal gain. These people love to amass a following. They want to be in a position of leadership and they crave prosperity.
Paul mentions this kind of person again in Phil. 3:18-19. He tells us there that they are "enemies of the cross". He also says that they are living for themselves and for this world. These people are to be avoided! This is the scriptural and obedient response commanded of the Christian, not to engage them and feed their own feelings of self importance.
They Are Deceptive - These people have a way with words and they use their ability to twist the truth and deceive the "simple." The word "simple" does not refer to stupid people. The word means "Fearing no evil from others, distrusting no one." It would speak of those believers who have not matured enough to know that everything that sounds good isn't always good. Many young believers are so eager to learn about the Lord and the Word of God that they are easy marks for the cults and other false teachers and especially the troublemakers. They haven't grown deep enough in the things of God to be able to recognize a counterfeit when it appears before them. Clearly this is being allowed to happen in the name of freedom of speech and the argument is often given “this is a discussion channel”. When the young in Christ falls tell them this, better still, tell Jesus this when you stand before Him. Do any really believe this will stand the test before Him.
I have seen young Christians get into a debate with a cultist or someone from another belief system, and they get overwhelmed and flustered because they cannot answer every question and concern posed by their opponent. As they listen, they decide that what they are hearing doesn't sound all that bad and they can be lead astray.
So then when these troublemakers appear, what are we who are saved to do about them? How are we to handle ourselves? How are we to handle them? Paul tells us in scripture
First Paul says to "mark" them. The idea here is that we are to watch the enemy lest he slip in on us and cause problems. We are to keep our eyes open against those who would infiltrate the people of God!
May we keep our eyes open for those who would seek to hinder the work of God by teaching false doctrine or by hindering God's work through trouble, this is my concern because it is not being done with as much zeal as it should.
Paul's second command is very clear. He says that we are to "avoid them". He is telling us that we are to have no fellowship with those who would cause trouble. The word literally means "to turn away." It brings to mind a couple of thoughts. First, don't get caught up in arguments with troublemakers or false teachers, 2 Tim. 2:16. It’s a waste of time! The best thing you can do is simply to turn away from them. So he says to avoid Communications with them. Secondly, the idea is here that we should avoid Communion with these people. 2 John 10-11 makes this crystal clear! Just as we would never open the door of our home and allow a rattlesnake in, so we should never allow a false teacher to enter the home or the church!
So what happens in the life of a believer whose roots don't go down very deep in the things of God. They will begin a dialogue with a false teacher and troublemaker with pure motives. They want to win them to Jesus, but before they know it, they are in over their heads and they find themselves trapped in an argument they cannot win.
What they hear sounds good and they are drawn away from the things of God into a false system of worship. It happens all the time! Therefore, the best course of action when dealing with those who would divide God’s people is to avoid them!
We must not allow anyone to sow the seeds of discord in the house of the Lord and that place is wherever Gods children gather like Christian chat rooms. The goal here is to protect the church and to allow the Spirit room to open the eyes of these people!
There is a defense, an antidote if you will, against the work of the troublemakers. Paul gives us three characteristics that should be true in your life and mine. These things will help us be better able to stand against trouble and troublemakers when they come.
Paul mentions the word "obedience". He is referring to their obedience to the commandments of the Word of the Lord. My friends, the surest defense against intrusions by false teachers and other people who would divide the church is a congregation that has grown strong in the Word of God! Our lives should be marked by a commitment to the Word of God!
We should Listen To It - That is to hear it when it is preached! When the word of God is declared to a church, that church should give their attention to the word. I do not think we realize how blessed we are when God sends a message through a man directly to our hearts. We have the opportunity to hear from Heaven! We should take advantage of that opportunity and glean all we can.
So we should Learn it, Live It, Be Christlike Toward Good Works, Be Childlike Toward Guilty Ways -
So please my fellow Christian, avoid evil like it was the plague, for it is! The best thing in the world is to come to Jesus at a young age and to live for Him for the rest of your life! There is nothing better! Praise God for lives that are untainted and unstained by sin!
All troublemakers receive their energy from one source: Satan. Paul closes his thoughts by letting us in on the good news that there is coming a day when the father of all troublemakers will get what's coming to him.
Satan Will Be Vanquished and The Saints Will Be Victorious
Paul ends this verse with a prayer for grace. My friends, we need grace to make it day by day! If we are going to take our stand for Jesus against the troublemakers and the ultimate troublemaker, then we need grace.
If we are to enjoy God's victory as we fight the battles of life, then we need grace. Thank God for grace sufficient from a supply that will never diminish, 2 Cor. 12:9.
So then, my call is for us all to welcome the seeker, answer the questions that are asked by those truly seeking wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, to lift up and encourage each other to the glory of Jesus. But let us turn from evil and not cast our pearls before swine, let us be obedient to the word.
Blessings Noolie

Hi Noolie,

Yes, we do see troublemakers coming into our chat rooms. What I am concerned about is being too quick to judge someone is a "troublemaker" just because they act a little different or don't know Christ. It is hard to judge someone's intentions and why they are there. The last thing we want to do is be hard on someone who is honestly asking a hard question because they are looking for answers.

Thanks for the post, hope to see you in chat.

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Hi BrianB,
Thank you for your reply. Of course we need to be understanding and patient with people and not quick not label anyone. However I have experienced of late being persued from room to room by someone trying to stir things up. I am grown up enough not to be concerned by such behavior, my concern is for younger Christians and the real seekers. In any case my position is still as stated above. "my call is for us all to welcome the seeker, answer the questions that are asked by those truly seeking wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, to lift up and encourage each other to the glory of Jesus. But let us turn from evil and not cast our pearls before swine, let us be obedient to the word."
Every Blessing
In Christian love Noolie

what else is the topix for?

Anyways there is a difference between the false prophets of heretics and peeps that ask questions about the bible.

Really if the christian doctrine was pure and true, such debates would be welcomed since the truth would only shine and make the heretics seem like laughing stock which would further increase the average believers faith.