Issue 12 - Day 1

1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4:1-3
1)  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;
2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3)  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

One of the greatest problems we face in the mish-mash of churches is how to spot false teaching. When every preacher is eloquent, and confidently declares the “truth of God”, it is often difficult to spot the worldly distortion they are layering on top. Often it is subconscious on their part, and based on what they were taught, or their upbringing. For this reason I constantly remind people to check what they hear, including what I say, against the word of God. It is better to understand one undistorted word of the bible, than to hear a thousand words of man’s wisdom.

There are two doctrines highlighted here that are strongly prevalent in today’s church as well as 2000 years ago. Some denominations do not let their leaders marry, on the basis that they believe Paul did not marry. How foolish, especially as Paul may well have married, it is just not recorded, in the same way as it is not recorded where Jesus went to school, yet I am sure he did. More to the point, Paul here specifically denounces such teaching! Secondly, he comes down heavily on the idea of abstaining from meats, a practice that is very popular during Lent, the forty days preceding Easter. Fasting is good, when done for the purpose of seeking God in prayer, but not otherwise. Let no-one deceive you into giving up any food as God has given it all to us.

Pray that God will give you discernment, check everything against his word.