1 Timothy 4:1, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Apostle Paul writes quoting a clear word of the Spirit of God (prophecy) that in the later times deceiving spirits and demons will cause many to abandon the faith and follow them. Sadly, the end result is the destruction of those who follow them for demons and deceiving spirits are evil spirits whose sole goal is to steal, kill and destroy, and they would do anything to have your soul..
Paul goes on remarking in verse 2 that “deceitful spirits” and teaching “demons” use hypocritical liars (human beings in churches/ministries) whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron (dead consciences) to seduce many peoples. These hypocritical liars (ministers) know the truth that sets free but are led by deceiving spirits and demons to not teach it on that account. Instead, they take peoples captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8). It is important to note that their main goal is to get many followers but not make disciples of Jesus Christ.
The greatest tragedy for any one is to belong to a church claiming to belong to Jesus Christ but which does not make disciples of Jesus Christ. Needless to say, the kingdom of darkness (Satan), does not mind having such churches on every street corners….
Please note that the expression “abandon the faith” simply means give up following Jesus Christ daily in actual facts or stop fixing your eyes on him and becoming self-centred and earthly-minded or preoccupied with the affairs of this world. Does it sound like someone you know?
Check yourself well to ensure that you have not abandoned the faith without even realising it:
- Is your life still Christ-centered?
- Are you still heavenly-minded?
- Do you value your life more than what you eat, drink and wear?
- Do you love God because of his blessings on your life or simply because of who he is?
- Would you still praise God, like Job did, even if you lost everything you have even your good health?
- Do you still identify with Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”?
- Do you use your faith as means to accomplish God’s purposes on earth or your own ends?
We all need to ask ourselves these questions daily as spiritual self-diagnosis.
