1 Timothy 4 Pt. 2 We Must Know The Scriptures To Fend Off False Teachers

Seducing spirits lead people away from living for God's glory.

1 Timothy 4:1  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; 

Paul begins chapter four with warnings about doctrines of devils and seducing spirits.

One example of devilish doctrines is the health, wealth and happiness gospel promoted by various mega churches in America.

The chaotic charismatic movement or snake handling are other examples of seducing spirits.

What they share in common is that they do not conform to the imperatives God has given to all Christians. 

We are called to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). 

We are called to be holy because God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). 

We are called to have our minds renewed, by putting off the old man things and putting on our new man in Christ (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:5-17). 

We are called to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6). 

We are called to live for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

We are called to walk in the Spirit and be led by Him (Galatians 5:16-24).

We are called to love one another (John 15:12; 17).

We are called to be fruit producing Christians (John 15:1-17).

We are to count it all joy if we suffer for the cause of Jesus Christ, or if the Father permits a trial to refine us (James 1:1-4; 1 Peter 4:12-19). 

We are to read our Bible and to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:1-3).

These are just a few of more than a thousand imperatives in the New Testament. 

Doctrines of devils and seducing spirits will always lead people away from what God has mandated for His children. 

Satan's emissaries always promote the broad way that leads to hell, rather than the narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:12-14).

Seducing spirits masquerade as angels of light. 

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

Seducing spirits are very much like hackers and scammers who seek to gain your personal information, so that they can steal your identity, property or money. 

In like manner, seducing spirits present themselves as angels of light, in order to cause undiscerning people to follow them.

Seducing spirits promote a false gospel. 

Galatians 1:6-9  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

They pervert the gospel of Christ by preaching another gospel which is not from God. They preach a Christ who is not Jesus Christ, the Son of God and King of kings. 

Seducing spirits often introduce a works salvation whereby something man does is added to repentant faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is all of God. 

Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our salvation. Our duty is to hear and heed the gospel, by repenting of our sins and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Seducing spirits and false teachers are steeped in hypocrisy. 

1 Timothy 4:2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 

False teachers and seducing spirits pretend to be speaking for God. They claim that they possess secret knowledge which, if a person can receive, will lead to greater holiness.   

The idea of speaking lies in hypocrisy is clearly illustrated, when one examines the beliefs and teachings of certain mega church pastors, and compares them with the Bible.

When you compare their teaching to the Bible, they come up short. You will find certain women preaching which violates 1 Timothy 2:9-14).

You will find that mega church pastors implore their followers to send in more money to their ministry. They consistently ask their followers to give sacrificially, in order to support their ministry.

Yet, most of the richest pastors in America accumulated their wealth from offerings given to their ministry. 

Essentially they say "You give sacrificially, so that I can live an excessive and lavish lifestyle." 

Thus, they are hypocrites because they tell you to live one way while they enrich themselves at your expense.

The idea of having their consciences seared with a hot iron, connects with the Roman practice of using a hot iron to brand criminals with a mark on their forehead. 

The Greek word translated "seared with a hot iron" is where the medical term "cauterization" is derived. 

Cauterization involves burning part of the body to seal something off, for example, to stop bleeding.

Practically, most of us have gotten burns at some point in life. The idea here is that false teachers know what God says but they choose to twist it into a lie or to ignore it altogether. 

Just as repeated burns on the same place on our body, causes us to have a build up of scar tissue, and a loss of feeling, so it is with heretics. 

Their consciences are seared to the point that they have no feeling toward God, and no longer can feel the burning conviction of the Spirit of God in their heart (See Luke 24:27-32).

Examples of devilish doctrines promoted by false teachers. 

1 Timothy 4:3-5  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. 4)  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5)  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 

One example given by Paul of devilish doctrines, is false teachers who say you cannot marry. This is a common practice in the Roman Catholic church, where all priests, bishops, deacons and clerics are forbidden to marry.

Yet, this goes against God's plan for the family. From the very first, marriage was an institution ordained by God as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. God established the family unit and He never forbid His servants to marry.

We cannot count the number of the men of God who were married in the Bible, because there were so many.

Adam had Eve. Abraham had Sarah. Isaac had Rebecca and Moses had Zipporah. 

Other devilish doctrines include those who teach that we must not eat meat. Paul tells us bluntly, that God created them for our nourishment and we are to receive His provision with thanksgiving. 

Seducing spirits still abound. Devilish doctrines have not disappeared. False teachers will always be with us.

We must read, seeking to understand what God is saying to us. 

We must study His Word with diligence. 

We must keep His word hidden in our hearts. 

We must memorize His Word because it feeds our inner man and strengthens our faith.

Only then, are we equipped to fend off false doctrines and avoid seducing spirits.

Bob