 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says, "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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." We are certainly living in the times described here by the apostle Paul. Far too many people give up on God because they get offended or perhaps because of unfulfilled expectations. The reasons may vary, but the cause is always the same: listening to the wrong voice! Giving heed to what that voice says. The voice may be thoughts in your mind, or perhaps the voice of people we may know, but it's source is always demonic! Unfortunately, that voice may also be coming from the pulpits of some churches. Certainly there are many great churches and preachers around the world, but we must also realize that not everything that is preached is always God's Word. Allow me to explain.
There are churches that preach on things like social issues of the day. Some preach on philosophical things about life that leave you with more questions than answers! These things are not evil, but if they are not discussed in light of how God's Word relates to them, then they are just church soap opera material. They offer little help with the hard spots that life can throw at us!
The word "speaking" in verse 2 is the Greek word "pseudologos." It indicates something that sounds like the Word of God, but really is not. That's why it is used with the word "lies" in this verse. It's intention is clearly to deceive with no apology! Again, the source is demonic. The devil's goal is to weaken and seduce people into accepting something less than the truth! The target is the soul(intellect and emotions)of the individual. The answer to this is simple. I must continue to receive the milk and meat of the Word in order to feed my spirit. If only my soul is being fed, weakness of spirit will begin to occur because of spiritual malnutrition! I will become more open to deception. My ability to discern truth will become compromised. I will react to adversity from my soul instead of my spirit. Proverbs 18:14 says, "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?" God designed us to react to adversity from our spirit, not our soul. If I'm going to stay strong in the Lord, I must have the sound spiritual food of God's Word and not just soulish candy.
Make no mistake, the attack is on! Seducing spirits are trying to sway us off the pure truth of God's Word. Stay strong! Stay alert! Stay in the Word and deception won't have a chance with a believer like you! Have a great week.
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