Title
The Deceiver's Deceptions
Scripture
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.
(1 Timothy 4:41276)
Devotional
The key to our text is the phrase, "depart from the faith." The apostle is not speaking of the world; he is speaking about the church. We are by all means in these prophesied "later times." There are deceiving spirits arrogantly proclaiming varying doctrines of demons. Hypocrisy is the norm among too many believers. Even though we are clearly told that, "We are not ignorant of his devices,"[39] we are living as though we are. The deceptions of the deceiver are being bought hook, line and sinker. Rebellion against God's appointed spiritual authorities is pandemic. Sheep are being mutated into goats. Shepherds are acquiescing to mere hirelings. Churches are being fractured and Christ is being ignored. As the scriptures forewarned, "That serpent of old... the Devil and Satan... deceives the whole world."[40] Church, it does not have to be so. Let us repent and believe the gospel.[41]