“…the Spirit EXPRESSLY (specifically) says that in the latter times SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy…” (1 Tim. 4:1-5) Paul teaches us that false teachers will arise within the church almost immediately and continue on through our day and on to the end of time. The point is well made, as believers we have to be constantly on guard against false teaching. For potential Christians, we need to pray for God’s protection from being “pulled away” even more. “Seduce” means: To lead away, specially from the right path by flattering promises… We are advised to,
“…try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) “Try” means: “To test, examine. It’s obvious that the devil is not pleased with our prayer efforts so, we must intensify our efforts. I say this because as I pray and write these devotions I am inspired to write things about what ONE will do when THEY get saved!!! Being involved with this kind of effort in the past, I’ve seen several others give in to God so, I know this works! Let’s simply BELIEVE GOD TO DO WHAT MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE because we cannot do it on our own.
“…this is the antichrist you heard is coming, and even now is already in the world. YOU ARE OF GOD, little children, and YOU HAVE OVERCOME them, because HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD.” (1 John 4:3-4)
-Bill Stockham