In 1 Timothy chapter 4, Paul wrote:
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
This is quite a warning for us to heed for we are in the “latter times”. Some will depart from the faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ and they will expound other teachings that originate from deceiving spirits and demons. We must be cautious not to assume someone who was once an excellent source of teaching and inspiration is still operating in the same fashion. We are to test the messages we hear by verifying them by FATHER’S Word and SPIRIT. It is incumbent upon each of us to guard our hearts from those who have departed from the faith. Deceiving spirits can produce signs meant to misdirect us.
These people who have departed from the faith will speak lies in hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform. In essence, do what I say, not what I do. These people profess one thing but live and act in another way and we are to be aware of these people. They will attempt to deceive you for their own gain as their conscience has been burnt and desensitized (seared) so that they are unable to notice the difference between right and wrong.
In the Old Testament there are food laws given for the benefit of man. However in the New Testament we are told every creature of FATHER is good if we receive it with thanksgiving and FATHER’S Word to us indicates it is acceptable. Then as we sincerely pray over the food it is deemed clean and to be received with thanksgiving. We are not to be legalistic about what we eat. We need only to be sensitive to HIS SPIRIT and sincerely pray over our food before we consume it. HE will direct us to the nutrition needed for our body.
Each of us is given a directive to teach others of less maturity. Our purpose on earth is to grow in GODLINESS and the primary attribute is Divine Unconditional Love. This is why we are here! Every aspect of the opposition is to challenge this growth in some form or fashion and we should look at all apparent failures as teaching moments to show us our progress toward Spiritual maturity. We must use and apply Spiritual Truths in order to achieve this maturity. In order to grow we must receive sustenance and hopefully these writings supplement your overall Spiritual nourishment.
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 These things command and teach.
Let us fulfill the mandate to spread the Gospel given to us by our Elder Brother… command and teach!