Spiritual Warfare: 'Avoid People Who Cause Divisions'

God's Power for Our Battles — Thursday, July 30, 2026

I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them! For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people.
— Romans 16:17-18 GNT

Today's Prayer

Lord, help me to recognize conversations and individuals that cause division among Your people and separate myself from that sort of unwholesome talk and activity. Don’t let me be sucked into complicated schemes that sound like they will help things when they actually will make things worse. In fact, when this arises around me, Lord, help me to say whatever would best diffuse their anger and slander. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Problem People
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Yesterday's note focused on valuing each person in the Father's family. There are, however, some in the family who seem to be..."
Blessings of the Faithful
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, my strength, I bless you for the multitudes of believing people who have gone before me, for those named in the Bible whose examples of...."
Willing to Die on This Mountain
Article by Phil Ware
What are the mountains you would die on for what you believe and what you are called to do? Phil Ware talks about finding our theological and missional mountains and how important it is to know them if you are going to call a minister with whom to partner.

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 16:17-18 GNT — I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them! For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 30, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 12:11
"He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'My Precious Temple!'
"Dear Beloved, As Paul used his letter to address the rivalries and divisions among My followers in Corinth, he pointed to four truths that I want you..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Evidence of Righteousness' (2 Th. 1:3-12)
"Dear Father, Thank you now, and every day, for every loyal soul whose faith is growing abundantly, whose love for others is increasing, whose stance...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Wake Up Call' (Jn. 11:7-15)
"Finally, [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea" [where Lazarus was very sick]. But his disciples objected. "Rabbi," they said,..."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare