Romans 16
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” (Matthew 10.16)
Stand Guard
Watch out for those who build dissent
And obstacles to the teaching
You have received; they circumvent
The Lord’s grace with their vain leaching.
The Lord’s not served – their appetites
Govern their hearts; with honey speech
They will misguide; by their false lights,
The trust of brotherhood they breach.
Be wise to what is truly good,
And simple to what is evil;
In this way, God conquers the shrewd
Satan – quelling the upheaval.
Through Him our strength is surely found;
With Him, in faith, all is revealed;
In Him, the prophesies resound
What was for long ages concealed.
To God, through Jesus Christ, glory!
To you, may His grace flow freely.
May the Spirit grant us the graces of discernment and vigilance to guard our hearts against the deceptions of darkness that we may always walk in the light of Christ.
(c) Paul Buis, 2005