Don't walk with them

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Romans 16:17 reprimand us to mark and shun those that cause split and offences that is contrary to the doctrine of Lord Jesus Christ. You have been taught Christ's love; you have been tought the Word of God in a direction; keep being in the Word. Mark and shun thos that live their life in contrary to the fact of the Gospel; the truth that you have been taught. This is the instruction given by God. It is the same instruction He gave through the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippian; he said, “careful of dogs, careful of evil workers, careful of the concision” (Philippians 3:2).

Now, this warning is primarily for us to stay away from those that are in the church but they don’t follow the truth, they cause confusion and strife. When you see that it's written “Beware of dogs,” somewhere the warning isn’t telling you about the dogs outside that building, it's the dogs in that particular building. So, when Apostle Paul said, “careful of dogs; careful of evil workers; careful of the concision,” he was referring to the annoyance makers in the Church. They could be the people in the your local church, in your same cell group, you could live in the same estate, neighbourhood, office, etc., and they’re Christians.

Apostle Paul would not have warn you about them if He didn’t think of your connection with them would be harmful to your Christian walk. Many people have found themselves in serious problem for moving with the wrong people. The Lord’s warning is clear: you should “mark” and “avoid” problem makers, don't try to change them. Don’t have anything do with people that deliberately don’t walk in love, people who beget disunity in the Church; divisive elements that forlead others.

People get messed up when they get involved with a messed up person. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “do not be deceived: evil discussions corrupt good manners.” If you have had, or you have friend(s) that you are not seeing any meaningful spiritual progress, or His or her friendship disturb your effectiveness in the Gospel, you need to give up on such friendships. Don’t make any negotiation; just stop it, so that your participation in the faith so that your Christian life would be effectual as it suppose to be. Glory to God!