Romans 16:17,18

Romans 16:17,18 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. We learn many things about how to be a good Christian in church and in Sunday school. So it should be rather easy to identify those who are not good Christians. Paul tells us to mark them. That means to identify them – know who the troublemakers are and avoid them. This means that we should not hang around with troublemakers. People who cause division are those who try to divide Christians from one another. They might gossip to one friend but tell something different to another friend just to cause trouble between them. This is wicked and we should be on the lookout for people who do those kinds of evil things. Remember the old saying: “Any dog who will give a bone will take a bone.” If someone will tell you a bit of juicy gossip, don’t forget, they will gossip about you to someone else just as easily! Look out for gossips; mark them; and avoid them.