Young People's Group

THE DANGER OF DEPARTING FROM THE FAITH

by Pastor Mitch
May 30, 2004

The Warning Concerning The Apostasy In The Latter Times

Warnings from the word of God are not to be taken lightly. They are to be understood and heeded.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith…”
1 Timothy 4:1

There was a prophetic word from the Spirit of God concerning the coming apostasy in the latter times. Whatever the Spirit has stated, it has always been proven and confirmed to be true. In the latter times (a reference to the End Times), some will depart from the faith. They will abandon the Biblical faith and turn towards believing in all sorts of unscriptural teachings. Young people, it is important that we take heed of the Spirit’s warnings of the danger of falling away.

The Source Of False Teachings Is From Satan

“… giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…” 
1 Timothy 4:1

Can a person who has experienced the wonderful blessings of faith in God still depart from it? The answer is yes. It can happen when people allow themselves to be deluded by fallacious arguments. Behind these detrimental doctrines is the deadly work of Satan. He will deceive people by creating doctrines through his demons and seducing them away from the truth. When people give heed to such erroneous teachings, they will slowly depart from their faith. It is questionable whether such people had real faith in the first place.

Expressions Of False Teachings

“… speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods…” 
1 Timothy 4:2-3

False teaching can rear its ugly head in many ways. People could end up learning to lie with great hypocrisy. Their own conscience has been altered by these falsehood. They no longer have a good conscience. It is as if it was seared with a hot iron and they can no longer discern what is true and false. Some will also heed man-made commandments of prohibitions and abstinence from food.

The Challenge To Battle False Teachings

Our challenge is to battle against these false teachings. What better way to fight against erroneous teachings than with the truth of God’s word?

“… which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
1 Timothy 4:3

For example, the food that God has created for us should be received with thanksgiving. We need not abstain ourselves from any form of food.

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 
1 Timothy 4:4-5

Every creature that God has created is fit for consumption. We are not to refuse them. Our challenge is to base our beliefs on the word of God rather than man-made ideas. Let’s know the truth of God’s word well enough that we may combat false teachings.

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