As we completed
the third chapter of Paul's letter to Timothy his “son in the
faith”, we discovered the six aspects to “the mystery of
godliness” which was hidden in Christ Jesus. In the fourth
chapter and first verse of his letter, Paul began to share concerning
“the latter times” where we read:
Now the
Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;
The verse begins, “Now
the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith,...” Paul
began with, “Now” or
“moreover, and” “the Spirit”
which refers to “the third person of the triune God, the
Holy Spirit, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son”
“speaks” or “says, affirms, teaches, exhorts, advises
and commands” “expressly” which means “in expressive
words, out-spoken and distinctive words” “that in the latter”
or “later, coming after, second, afterward and after this”
“times” which literally means “due measure” and refers
to “a measure of time or times such as an opportune or seasonable
time. It is the right time or a limited period of time” “some
shall depart from” or “certain ones will make stand off,
cause to withdraw, remove, excite, revolt, stand off and aloof from,
go away from and depart, desert, withdraw, fall away and become
faithless” “the faith” which is “the conviction that
God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and is the
provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.” It also
includes “a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is
the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom
of God.” In other words, during the latter days or last days, some
who were believers in God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son will
depart from the faith and become apostate.
The verse continues,
“... giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;” We might wonder why
someone would walk away from faith in God the Father and Jesus
Christ, and Paul tells Timothy in these words, “giving
heed” or “bringing near,
turning the mind to, attending to and being attentive and addicted
to” “seducing” or
“wandering, roving, misleading, leading into error,
imposter, corrupter and deceiver” “spirits” which refers
to “a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter,
and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and
acting”. Not only will they turn to “seducing spirits” but
they Paul included, “and doctrines” which are “teachings
and instructions” “of devils” who are “evil spirits or
the messengers and ministers of the devil”. Rather than continuing
with their faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son, these
apostate ones will begin to follow after the teachings of evil
spirits and messengers of the devil himself.
As we think
about these words of Paul, we must be inclined to wonder why anyone
would become apostate. How could they turn from the true and living
God to lies and deceptions from the devil? The answer might be in the
word “seducing” which implies that these ideas are made
attractive, reasonable and understandable, however, they lead to a
trap, and those who are deceived by them are lead away from the
faith. The interesting part of this verse is that these people of the
“latter days” will be those who were once believers. They
held to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they believed in the
provision of God the Father for their salvation. Now their minds
would be deceived, and they would fall away from the faith. Let us be
mindful as we believe in God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son that
there are “seducing spirits” and “doctrines of
devils” which are available to us every day. We must align
ourselves with God the Father who is able to help us distinguish
between the two and keep us close to His side, and may He evermore
keep us close to Him.
Next
time Paul continues to share about this apostate group of people, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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