People don’t write letters as much as they used to. They tend to text, call, email or video chat.

But letters are still written and received. At the close of a letter, it is common to give an important summary statement—perhaps something like, ‘May God bless you,’ or ‘I’m always thinking about you,’ or ‘Be well until we see each other again.’

Paul does the same thing at the end of many of his letters, including Romans. He packs a lot of punch into some key statements that he hopes will be seared onto the hearts and minds of his readers. 

In Romans 16:19-20 this is what he says: “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Being “wise about what is good” is about figuring out what is godly and living accordingly.

Being “innocent about what is evil” is about steering clear from what is ungodly. If someone accuses you of evil you will be found innocent because you haven’t indulged the darkness. Your hands will be clean, so to speak.

We can be at peace because God “will soon crush Satan under your feet.” He won’t have any sway over you. You won’t buy his lies. This happens because of his power and authority (not yours). 

Paul’s words to them then continue to be a good word for us now.

Christians need discernment. We need to sift through what we see, read, hear and experience. Most of what we encounter isn’t neutral. Books don’t tend to be neutral. Movies don’t tend to be neutral. The proclamations of famous people and government policies don’t tend to be neutral. 

I’m no conspiracy theorist. I don’t think there’s a demon under every bush. But I’m also not naïve. If we listen to music that is always spouting self-centeredness or the accumulation of fame, that perspective is going to rub off on us. If we digest online content that always objectifies or belittles people, that perspective is going to rub off on us as well. It might not be immediate or dramatic. But inches are still leading you in a certain direction. 

Let’s be at peace, but not naïve. Discernment is the ability to sift, recognize and decide. “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” And as you sift, may “the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.