Smooth Words and Flattering Speech!

Bob Hope was a brilliant comedian who had a way with words. One story tells that while entertaining on the road, he once made the comment about the compactness of his lodging accommodations: "The hotel room where I’m staying is so small the rats are round- shouldered." The hotel proprietor was not as amused as the audience and threatened to sue unless Hope gave a public retraction. The comedian graciously agreed, and at the beginning of his next show announced: "I’m sorry I said that the rats in that hotel are round-shouldered. They are not." Amazing, isn’t it, how a word or two deftly placed and said with a smile can defuse a tense situation – or, in Hope’s case, infuse it with more tension!

The apostle Paul speaks about those who use "smooth words and flattering speech" in Romans 16:18. But not to entertain or lighten up the moment – rather, to intentionally mislead. Immediately after a long section filled with Christian warmth and greetings to friends at Rome, Paul abruptly and bluntly lays out this warning to readers in Romans 16:17-20 – "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Now,  there is warmth in that passage. The apostle compliments the church at Rome and notes their wide-spread reputation as an obedient congregation. Their concern was to do only what the Lord said do and to do it in the way He said do it through His inspired spokesmen! Further, Paul is confident God will crush Satan shortly and see to it the devil is in the dust under their feet! But don't miss it -- besides the warmth in the passage there is a warning. In spite of their present faithfulness and unity, Paul senses potential for trouble. He warns the church to be wary of those who "cause divisions" and cause people to stumble spiritually ("offenses"). How could this happen? They teach things "contrary to the doctrine which you learned" – that is, things that contradict apostolic teaching! He didn’t say they hold up a sign announcing, "Hey, y’all, I’m a false teacher and my goal is to cause trouble in the church. No, their method is "smooth words and flattering speech." They are big on style – slick talkers and good speakers, but with bad teachings! Their real goal is to "deceive the hearts of the simple" (unsuspecting people). As to motive, Paul is clear –"For those who are such do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly." They have a selfish agenda, not the Lord’s. Bible doctrine says baptism is "for the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 2:38), and that there is "one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, (Ephesians 4:4-6). We must avoid preachers who teach contrary to these and other clear Bible doctrines. Why? Because smooth talk is not necessarily the same thing as true talk. Let us "continue steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine" (Acts 2:42). Think about it. 

   Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN