Message from Scripture: 716/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 1 Tim. 4:1; “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.”

 

This passage of Scripture is similar to what Paul later tells Timothy in 1 Tim. 6:3-4; “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” What Paul is saying is there are those who will give heed to doctrines that come from Satan, not from God. God is truth, and to follow His will is to follow the path that leads to life. To allow or pursue that which is sinful is to follow the path that leads to destruction.

 

I don’t believe we can be demon possessed today, as was true during the ministry of Christ. That was part of the devil’s effort to thwart God’s purpose being fulfilled in Christ, in which he failed. Today, he uses the appeal of sin to deceive us and then harden us against the truth. Every error taught and believed that contradicts the teaching of Scripture regarding Jesus, salvation, Christian living, the sovereignty of God, and anything else that is inspired of God, is a doctrine of demons, a tool of Satan to refocus on sin that condemns us. An example of this is the works of the flesh he entices us to practice, which keeps us from eternal life, in contrast to the fruit of the Spirit, which leads us to eternal life. Too many follow these doctrines as a cheap substitute that cannot deliver on what it promises, and keeps us from the path to life.

 

Today, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God’s word, the Bible, gives us the right direction for life, and allows us to discern the difference between truth and error, the doctrines of demons and will of God. May our words and our lives show others the way to life. Make sure whose doctrine you believe and follow. God bless.

 

Robert