Slaves Of Their Own Appetite

If a church fails to grow or declines in membership, church members will many times resort to scapegoating as a way to deflect attention away from the true conflict and the sinfulness of their own hearts. Blaming others only causes dissensions and hindrances in the body of Christ. We are deceived if we give consideration to the smooth and flattering speech of these people because they are nothing more than slaves of their own appetites.

"Now I urge you, brethren,

keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances

 contrary to the teaching which you learned,

and turn away from them.

For such men are slaves,

not of our Lord Christ

but of their own appetites;

and by their smooth and flattering speech

they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

Romans 6:17 (NIV)