RTW 2022

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
1 Timothy 4:1

Paul clearly warns against:

• Apostasy: those leaving the faith.
• Deception: deceiving spirits that seek to confuse and distract.
• false teaching: the idea that we can be gods, and operate independently from God.

This started back in Genesis (doctrines of demons).
See Genesis 3:1 … Did God really say you can’t fruit from the trees..?

It is hard to say if there is more false teaching today, or if it is merely a case of modern technology being able to spread the lie better.

Our spiritual nerve ending has become desensitized to the sin around us because of the subtle way it creeps in, its almost truth.

Paul is speaking to Timothy about the church, the saved.

We can’t be shocked when these things happened—

• People leave the church.
• Deception goes undetected.
• False teaching is accepted.

What is a Christian to do?

• Be responsible for our own growth. Study the Word. Pray. Obey.
• Be committed to the church, yet keep our eyes open to apostasy, deception, and false teaching.
• Be concerned with red flags, and not afraid to approach leadership with those concerns.
• Be ready to leave, don’t be so comfortable that we tolerate what Spirit alerts us to.

“A man may hold all the truths of Christianity, and yet render them of none effect by holding other doctrines which counteract their influence.” – Adam Clark

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Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
1 Timothy 5:22

I wrote this down in my journal, with the question, “How does someone share in the sins of others?”

I love EnduringWord’s response! Wow!

There are many ways we can do this. We can share in the sins of others by:

• setting a bad example before them.
• approving of them or ignoring them.
• joining a church that spreads dangerous teachings.

Do I share in the sins of others?

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It’s a slow fade Wendy… watch out, you have been warned.