Beware!
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1)."But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13).
In
the last days of grace, there will be two areas for which to be
especially watchful in regard to those who minister the Word. Paul warns
us that some, but not all, will depart from the faith that was once
near and dear to their hearts. They will abandon the sound doctrine that
was first delivered to us by the Apostle Paul and will instead give
heed to seducing spirits. As they teach things that are contrary to
Paul's gospel, it will cause a great deal of confusion among the
brethren, which is a masterful ploy of Satan, who is the author of
confusion. But why would these teachers knowingly depart from the truth?
The reasons are many and varied: notoriety for discovery of a so-called
new truth, wider acceptance in mainstream Christendom, larger numbers,
and other temptations of fleshly, earthly gain.
The
level of confusion increases dramatically when we add ministers who
intentionally deceive the unsuspecting to build a utopian or cultlike
ministry. Paul says they have "a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof" (2 Tim. 3:5). In a word, they will deny the preaching of
the Cross, which is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor.
1:18). Those who come under their spell will have their ears tickled
with inspirational messages, but there will be a deafening silence when
it comes to the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, or Christ's precious
blood.
The
apostle is clear to all who will listen when he says, "from such turn
away." If you fail to do so, you will be swept into what is either their
unsound teaching or a web of deception. Beware! Paul's solution to
avoid these dangers is really quite simple: "But continue thou in the
things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom
thou hast learned them" (2 Tim. 3:14). In a nutshell, follow Paul as he
followed Christ. A well-rounded understanding of Paul's epistles will
be a safeguard against error and will protect you from being misled or
succumbing to the clever schemes of men.
Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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