How can we identify those who "serve their own appetites" in the church? Anchor Text: Romans 16:17-18 “Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such individuals are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Serve Their Own Appetites: The Heart of the Issue • “Appetites” (literally “belly”) points to cravings of self—comfort, applause, control, money, sensuality. • The contrast is stark: Christ-centered service vs. self-centered consumption. • Their ministry may look spiritual, yet the engine underneath is fleshly desire. Signs in Their Words • Smooth talk that majors on inspiration while sidestepping repentance and obedience. • Flattery that spotlights people’s felt needs, not Christ’s lordship. • Doctrinal vagueness or selective use of Scripture to justify personal aims. • Appeals to novelty—“fresh revelation,” “new season,” “next level”—but light on the timeless gospel. Signs in Their Behavior • Lifestyle marked by excess: lavish spending, entitlement, secret immorality. • Patterns of manipulation—guilt trips, emotional highs, manufactured urgency (“sow a seed now”). • Resistance to mutual accountability; they insulate themselves from correction. • Platform-building: branding, self-promotion, celebrity culture replacing servant leadership. Signs in Their Fruit • Divisions: factions, personality cults, “us vs. them” language. • Exploitation: congregants burdened financially or spiritually while leaders prosper. • Shallow discipleship: people remain biblically illiterate, tossed by trends. • Moral compromise spreading: what leaders excuse soon becomes congregational norm. Scripture Cross-References That Confirm the Pattern • Philippians 3:18-19 — “Their god is their belly.” • 2 Peter 2:1-3 — “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” • Jude 12-13 — “shepherds who feed only themselves.” • 2 Timothy 4:3 — people gather teachers “to suit their own desires.” • Matthew 7:15-20 — “By their fruit you will recognize them… a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” • 1 Timothy 6:3-5 — false teachers are “deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a means of gain.” Practical Discernment for Today • Hold every teaching up to the whole counsel of Scripture, not isolated proofs. • Watch for consistent gospel fruit: humility, holiness, love, and sound doctrine. • Value transparent, plural leadership structures that welcome correction. • Stay anchored to Christ, the true Shepherd who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). • “Turn away” when the evidence is clear; distancing protects both personal walk and church health. |
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