1 Timothy 4:1-5
The roles of Pastor and Deacon are necessary for a church to function as God intended. But God wanted Paul to pass on some further teaching to Timothy about the condition of the church, and how he could respond to it.
The Holy Spirits Told about the Last Days
“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;” 1 Timothy 4:1
“the Spirit speaketh expressly”
God the Holy Spirit has a specific message that Paul had received, that Timothy needed to be aware of and that we feel the implications of today.
Paul had warned the leaders of the Ephesian church about this before. He told them that there would be attacks from outside the church and apostasy from inside the church.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:28–32
Departure from the Faith
Apostasy – Warren Wiersbe defines apostasy as “a willful turning away from the truth of the Christian faith.” (The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
These are people who have been in church but are choosing to leave the truths of God to go after something else. They are leaving truths taught in the kinds of churches Paul and Timothy are planting.
We see this in churches today as well. Young people who grew up in church are being drawn away in large numbers to go after some other kind of teaching.
Paul doesn’t leave us guessing about the source of this other kind of teaching.
Seducing Spirits
These are spirits that are meant to deceive.
There are many counterfeits of the Holy Spirit in this world. They are presented in false teaching, in great shows of spirituality, and external displays of piety.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t have to be conjured through empty babbling. His work is seen even when the background music hasn’t been perfectly timed to start with the last point of the message.
Beware. Run away from anyone who claims a special message from God that you can’t see clearly in scripture.
Doctrines of Devils
Where it’s not a seducing spirit these false teachings come as doctrines of devils.
The devil is just as willing to attack truth head on as he is willing to imitate it and distort it.
Watch out for those who constantly question the teaching of God’s word. This was the original tactic of the Devil in the garden (Gen 3). Doctrines of devils will rarely come with anything that resembles biblical authority or local reason. They only exist to cast doubt.
Grow in your personal knowledge of God through His word.
The Last Days are Characterized by Certain Types of False Teachers
“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:2
While false teaching may vary from person to person, time to time, and area to area; there are some things that are consistent about the teachers of false doctrine.
Speaking Lies in Hypocrisy
False teachers are very consistent in teaching people to live in a certain way, and then proving that they are unwilling or unable to live that way themselves.
Conscience Seared
These false teachers have consciences that are seared. They have no feeling to alert them to sin their own life, or to the pain, they bring on other people.
The Last Days are Characterized by Certain Types of False Teaching
3 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. 1 Timothy 4:3–5
False teaching may come in many different forms but there are a few points where we see a lot of consistency over the years. Paul points out two of these here and then responds to one of them.
Unbiblical teaching about marriage and food are linked with just about every form of false doctrine. It was no mistake that Paul mentions them here.
Forbidding to marry
Not allowing marriage has come in many forms. From the Roman Church not allowing priests to marry (we see the evil that has come from that) to the modern doctrine of devils about the biblical need for marriage in our day.
God intended Biblical marriage to be a source of good, happiness, and blessing and the evil workers of the last days will do everything they can to undermine it.
Commanding to not eat certain meats
Just like marriage, food becomes an easy tell for falser teaching.
Anyone who equates what you eat, or don’t eat, with spirituality is not teaching biblically.
Paul’s Response
Paul’s reaction to the issue of food is pretty straightforward.
Everything is good… if it is received it with thanksgiving and sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Your Turn
Hold to the Truth
In these last days, we as believers need to have a firm grasp on the truth. Study God’s word to find it. Be the faithful student of God’s teachers as they present it in a biblical church. Learn it well enough to begin teaching it yourself.
Turn back to God
You may be reading this and have turned away from the faith. God will welcome you back.
Come back to Him, grow in His teaching. This may mean losing a friend or two, God will help you through these struggles.
