Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils

Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils 2020 11 22

1 Timothy 4:1 – 7

Never in the history of the world has so much information been instantly available to so many people. Yet the world has not gotten better. There is much confusion. It is difficult in the overwhelming flood of information to discern the difference between what is true and what is… “fake news.” Many are being caught up in cleverly-concocted conspiracy theories. Even worse, untold numbers of people are being deceived into believing seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils.

1 Timothy 4:1 – 7

Note the way this passage begins: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly…” In other words, this is not a passage that is open to any kind of dark interpretation. The Holy Spirit is speaking openly and clearly, so that there can be no doubt about what He is saying.

This is a prophecy of the Holy Spirit. He is telling Timothy, and us, what is going to happen in the latter times. This is not just a possibility; it is a reality.

In the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

I Latter Times

  1. The latter times spoken of began with the Church Age. It is the last age or as it is translated in Hebrews 1:2, “these last days.” This is the final dispensation.

    1. There was the patriarchal period, the period under the law and the prophets, or however method these times were divided up, and now is the Church Age.

    2. This is the last age before God finishes with Israel and Christ returns to rule and reign. That day will not come until “…there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition…” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

      1. This is confirms that these latter times began at the beginning of the Church Age and have not yet finished.

II Apostasy

  1. Throughout the Church Age, people have apostatized, departing from the faith. This is what is meant by falling away.

    1. People fell away right from the beginning, even while Jesus was still preaching.

    2. But there has been a steady increase in this apostasy throughout the Church Age. Today, this falling away has reached epidemic proportions. Very few Biblical churches have more than a small number of truly born-again Christians in them.

    3. Even in sound Bible teaching churches, there are many who have departed from the faith. “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.” 1 John 2:19

  2. The Bible says “some will depart,” but this doesn’t mean just a few. In fact, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 suggests many will fall away.

    1. Indeed, this is what we’re now witnessing in 2020.

    2. No wonder it’s possible for the dishonesty and lack of ethics we’re now witnessing even at the highest levels of business and political leadership.

III Seducing Spirits

      1. These are people who have been seduced by the spirits of this fallen world, who have held out shiny apples of gold to them that are in reality filled with dust.

        1. With offers of power, prestige, and wealth, these seducing spirits have led the unwary away from the true faith into falsehood that cannot save.

        2. They heard the truth and embraced it for a time, perhaps, but were led away by the shiny baubles of this world.

      2. These seducing spirits work through people, often right among us, who claim to be Christians, who have themselves fallen under the spell of these same spirits. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

        1. Remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). Beware lest you be seduced by lying spirits.

IV Doctrines of Devils

      1. Doctrine that is not of God is against God and is the doctrine of devils. It is doctrine delivered by fallen angels, agents of the devil, to men and women who open themselves up to such teaching.

        1. The largest single body that has built itself upon the doctrines of devils, of course, is the Roman Catholic church, with its pagan rites and worship of and prayers to Mary and the so-called saints, the use of relics, the doctrine of papal infallibility, etc.

        2. But there are many others teaching the doctrines of devils. Pseudo-Christian cults who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ; so-called faith healers; signs, wonders and miracles cults and televangelists, prosperity preachers, psychics, etc.

        3. Many in the church, today, are giving heed one way or another to doctrines of devils

V Hypocrisy vv 2 – 5

  1. A common characteristic of those under the influence of seducing spirits and devilish doctrine is their hypocrisy.

    1. Their conscience is seared – they have no shame. They call good, evil, and evil, good, not bothered at all in their attacks on the Bible, Biblical Christianity, and even God, Himself.

    2. They declare themselves to be good, lovers of Christ, all the while walking in disobedience to Him. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5

    3. They call Christians who stand on the Word of God intolerant, while tolerating things that God has clearly declared to be false or wicked.

VI Remind One Another v 6

  1. Remind one another to be thankful for the institution of Biblical marriage and all the things that God has created to be received.

    1. The things that God has given are not to be refused as unclean or unholy.

VII Avoid the Unprofitable v 7

  1. Don’t get caught up in things that don’t matter.

    1. The profane are simply things that are base, common, and aren’t very important. They are temporal, of this world, having no eternal value, and sometimes downright crude.

      1. We deal with profane things every day. Much of what we do, hear and read is profane. They are the things that pertain to this world, but have no eternal value.

      2. Politics are profane. It is important for us to do our civic duty as good citizens, and to recognize and even call out those things that are patently evil, but we should not get caught up in them. (I do not recommend Christians run for political office.)

    2. Old wives’ fables refer to fictions created by gossipy people with too much time on their hands.

      1. These include conspiracy theories, which many are caught up in. If ever there was something that seducing spirits are behind, it is conspiracy theories!

      2. The commonality among all conspiracy theories is the seduction of feeling smarter than everyone else. It is the same appeal to the ego that seduced Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5).

VIII Exercise unto Godliness

  1. Here is the antidote to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils: exercise unto godliness.

    1. Make Jesus Christ the focus of your life and press toward the mark that He has set.

    2. Don’t consider yourself better or stronger than you are. It is God who is strong, not you. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

    3. Don’t assume you have arrived. Pride may tempt us, but God says otherwise. It is a lifelong marathon. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14

Conclusion

  1. We live in perilous times, as have many before us. It’s not going to get better until Christ returns. It’s going to get worse. “…evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and been assured of…” 2 Timothy 3:14. These are the things of God as revealed by Him through the plain, clear reading and the preaching and the teaching of His word, found in the Bible. These are not deep mysteries found by the wisdom of man in searching out hidden meanings in numbers and verses and new revelations, etc., but are the clear, open revelation that God has provided for mankind. When we believe Him, repent and put our faith in Jesus Christ, He saves us by grace and sends the Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen and sustain us. Do not be seduced. Do not be fooled by false doctrine. We do not need any new revelations, signs, or miracles when we have Jesus Christ as our Saviour!