Beloved of God

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 (I Timothy 4:1) 

NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY…SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH:

-expressly (rhetos) out-spokenly, i.e. distinctly

-depart (aphistemi) to remove; draw (fall) away; withdraw self

-faith (pistis) firm persuasion; a conviction based upon hearing; belief 

“The faith” is referring to firm persuasion in Jesus Christ. This faith is Christ-centered. The departure speaks of a withdrawal from the nature and will of Christ. This doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a decrease in church attendance. In fact, it may be quite the opposite. There may be an increase in church attendance worldwide, but it will be just that – attending church. 

Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof…(II TImothy 3:5) 

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me (Matthew 15:8) 

GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS:

-heed (prosecho) to hold the mind toward; to pay attention to

-seducing (pianos) wandering; deceiving-doctrines (didaskalia) teachings 

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (II Timothy 3:13) 

…there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies…(II Peter 2:1) 

The purpose of a seducing spirit is to…seduce – to turn you aside from your walk with Christ. Seduction is not an obvious occurrence; it’s a subtle and gradual process. Satan has an attribute than many Christians don’t – patience. He is more than willing to take all the time he needs to charm us out of the purposes of God and into an ungodly lifestyle. “Doctrines of devils” are simply teachings that oppose the word of God. These teachings appeal to our natural selves but will ultimately bring us physical or spiritual harm. 

We should be mindful that seductive spirits don’t only come by other people but through personal thoughts as well. Too often we recognize and resist deceit in the lives of others but fail to confront our own deceptive thoughts.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalms 19:12-13)

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