Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ~ 1 Tim 4:1-2
I love how Paul starts this chapter: “Now the Spirit expressly (or openly) says…” So it is the Holy Spirit who is speaking to us clearly on some issues, and the first on the list is BACKSLIDING! Backsliding is an issue that comes up in our Christian walk. It is a real issue we have to contend with.
What does it mean to backslide?
- To depart from the faith; to refrain from the faith; to fall away; to withdraw from the faith.
- To go back or relapse into something; to abandon what is good and revert to an old habit or to fall into sin; to turn away from God to pursue our own desires.
This scripture above (1 Cor 10:12) means it is possible for you and I (who are in the faith) to depart or fall away from the faith. No person can depart from something that they are not in or do not have. Not all men have faith (2 Thess 3:2).
- For people who are not in the faith), it is impossible to depart from faith because they have no faith to depart from.
- So these words of Paul are to us believers: You can backslide!
- Hebrews 3:12 warns us to be careful so that our hearts don’t shift into sin and unbelief, and turn us away from God.
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” ~ Hebrews 3:12
Backsliding can be likened to walking on a road with no signboards. In our Christian walk, there are no signs saying, “Hell and Destruction – 200 meters ahead!”
Backsliding happens gradually, until you are drawn somewhere you never expected to be. Gradually, but certainly, you SLIDE there.
Do people intend to backslide? No, at least not usually. We backslide when there is a neglect of things we need to do consistently. When we overlook our convictions. It is a process of neglect that gradually gets you sliding away.
“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” ~ Jeremiah 3:22a
- According to Jeremiah 3:22, backsliding is a disease. God sees it as a disease, and we need to see it as such and then address it as such.
- Sometimes it is difficult to embrace that we have backslidden.
- It is like when you have a disease within you and you do not see any symptoms. It is so deadly, but you do not know till it’s too late.
Why do we not notice it?
- We are still in Church. We convince ourselves that once we come to church, we’re good.
- We are still operating the gifts of the Spirit and serving, giving, teaching, pastoring, singing, etc.
What can cause us to backslide?
1. Shallowness (Luke 8:13):
Jesus explains that some people receive the word of God with joy, and even believe for a while. But in the time of testing, they fall away because they have no root. A time of testing will surely come for every Christian. Jesus says, if we are shallow in the time of testing, we will fall.
But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
Christians who do not know God for themselves, have no convictions of their own, are not grounded in the Word of God, have no explanations for the things they do from sound doctrine, can easily fall away.
Dear friend, we have to grow in the Word of God! Don’t be shallow and light, blown away by every wind of doctrine! Don’t just follow the trends and the crowds! Let your roots grow deep in God by the word!
2. Giving heed to deceiving spirits (1 Tim 4:1):
- These are deceiving demons that seduce men and women, leading us astray, drawing us into evil (especially enticing us into sexual impurity and the pursuit of wealth).
- Demons are tasked with carrying out campaigns and programs of enticement aimed to cause us to forfeit our virtues, surrender chastity, and chase after mammon.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ~ 1 Timothy 4:1
3. Giving heed to doctrines of demons (1 Tim 4:1):
One of the first works of demons is to urge you to depart from the faith. This results in departure from holy living, and acceptance of doctrines that will in the end damn our souls.
- But are these taught by demons directly? Nope, usually through men and women.
- Some people pretend and use inspirational words and/or declare they have new revelations of wisdom aside the Bible.
- Such people, plus false teachers of all kinds, are agents of demons (2 Cor. 11:14-15).
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Cor. 11:14-15).
Any person or institution that denies the reality of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, sin, Satan, demons, hell, heaven, and the other fundamental doctrines of Scripture is as much of Satan and demons, as the Bible and Christianity are of God.
I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. ~ 2 John 7
We’ll continue on this tomorrow. But today, let’s make a commitment that we will not be shallow believers!
Pray and declare: “Heavenly Father, from today and by the help of the Holy Spirit, I will not be shallow. I will study your Word; I will grow rooted and grounded in You! In Jesus’ name I pray!” Amen!
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