Commentary on Romans 16:17-18- Handling False Teachers

Romans 16:17-18 says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

Christians are to actually take note of whoever the heretics within their midst are.  These heretical teachers go against the Bible by misquoting it, by their fair speeches and their propaganda the simple are deceived into believing their own delusions.  The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible and whenever a person is a heretic, they expose themselves whenever the heresy is being exposed wide and clear.  So why avoid them?  These false teachers are dangerous toxic.  While it's impossible for a Christian to fall away to unbelief (1 John 2:19), however these false teachers are dangerous as they go to engage in useless debates.  2 Timothy 2:16 is clear that it's best to shun profane babbling that means avoid debates as much as possible.  Debating these false teachers will result to nothing more than trouble and more trouble.  Many of them can be characterized as abrasive, chaotic, arrogant, high-minded individuals and most of them are really fond of speaking bad words, playing dirty games with their opponents and not to mention living a very sinful lifestyle while teaching a difficult means of salvation (ex. homosexuals, drunkards, adulterers, fornicators).  Should they be exposed one by one?  Not a wise suggestion as it would mean giving them spotlight and not to mention by singling them out, it means they are not being avoided, rather they are being promoted in some way being glorified.  Sadly some Christian websites do so and they become pretty hateful as well because its always attack the heresy and not the heretic.  As a result, it can result to a Christian chickening out and becoming useless for the Lord Jesus Christ for quite some time.