1 Timothy 4:1-3-Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Introduction: Apostasy truly happens. Real people, once professing Christians, truly fall away from the faith. For many younger, more inexperienced Christians, apostasy seems like an ancient situation that rarely happens today. We see it in the New Testament.
The Apostle writes in 2 Timothy 4:10-For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;
Even during our Lord’s earthly ministry, we read in John 6:66-From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Of course, there are stern warnings against falling away or apostasy throughout the New Testament (for ex, Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31; Matthew 13:20-21; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; and 2 Peter 2). But this is not merely an ancient problem. It is a contemporary problem as well. It happens in our day and it upsets the faith of some.
I tremble to say we are living in an era of apostasy. We have come out of the previous three years of a pandemic to find our churches and Christian friendships significantly depleted because many are leaving or have left the faith.
“Lowering the Lord’s standards to the level of society’s inappropriate behavior is apostasy.” Lynn Robbins
“The essence of apostasy is changing side from that which is crucified to the crucifier.” John Stott
There are deceptions going on all the time in our world: and the worst kind of deceptions are in the spiritual realms. False teachers, false religion, seducing spirits—all to draw people away from the faith.
Summary: in the last days people will, fall away from faith, be seduced by false spirits, listen to doctrines of devils--they will be Deceived
I. Falling Away from the Faith
1 Timothy 4:1-3-Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Hebrews 3:12-take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
a. scoffers—preachers have been preaching this stuff for centuries and a lot of things haven’t happened yet.
b. The day of miracles is over or it was just for the time when Jesus was here.
c. How do you know that Christianity is any better than Islam or Hinduism, or any other religion in the world.
2 Timothy 2:15-Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Romans 10:17-So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
II. Giving Heed to seducing spirits
1 Timothy 4:1-3-Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 Timothy 4:1-4-I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12-And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Normally when you think of the word seduction you thing of the physical realm—but these seducing spirits are in the spiritual realm to draw people away from God. We could talk about hundreds but let’s narrow it down to three:
• There is no sin, there is no punishment, God accepts you just the way you are: this is a seducing spirit that has crept into our society. If draws people to the belief that no matter how you live, God will wink at sin. God has no demands on our lives.
• Once you get saved, you are in---this draws many people to churches that say, join our church, become a member, get your name on the roll book and you get heaven no matter what
• If you serve God, you will get anything that you want, you will never go through any trials, you will be blessed with the best of everything that life has to offer.
III. Doctrines of Devils
1 Timothy 4:1-3-Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Matthew 24:24- For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
deceive the very elect.
1 John 2:18-19-Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
• Evolution or the Big Bang Theory—anything that discredits Genesis 1:1—in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth is a doctrine of the devil
• Jesus was just a good teacher, or a miracle worker or a prophet—but not the Son of God. Peter said, you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Upon this rock will I build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
• New Age—you don’t have to serve some God, you just need to realize the God of who you are. Humanism is based in Babylonian theology—we will build a tower to the sky, and we will make a name for ourselves, and we will be like the Gods.
Conclusion: As we continue to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in these last days, it is so important that we not only preach and proclaim the truth of God's word; but that we live out our faith and walk with God closer than we ever have.
