I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. (Romans 16:17–19, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Beng “innocent about what is evil” does not mean we have to be naive (having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information). We just need to have enough spiritual maturity to be able to discern what is “contrary to the teaching [we] have learned.” To not be susceptible to the “smooth talk and flattery [that might] deceive [our] minds .”
My Advice – “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.” (Proverbs 18:15, NIV 1984). We just need to know where to go for it. Know “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15–17, NIV 1984). The uncommon cure for naivete. “Seek it out.”
The Brew Is A Musing 