1 Timothy 4:1-3 Deception and Seducing

[Matt Anderson]

Originally Posted by Paul Vusik

I just want to say this, all of those steps are done by a person willingly and with full consent. God doesn’t chain anyone to His ways or a slave master that beats anyone into submission. This is spoken of people who were believers or at least of people who have some basic knowledge of what faith is. They departed from it, after knowing what the truths are.

I would like to add something here regarding what Paul is saying and connect to the subject of this thread at the end. While I agree that the steps related to 1 Tim 4:1-2 are done willingly and with consent, they may not be done with full awareness (i.e. knowing) that you are in collusion with (or under the influence of) a seducing spirit or their doctrines (the doctrines of demons). There are teachings that are attractive to our "flesh" which we latch onto with our hearts and minds. Teachings that are attractive to our "flesh" have the potential to be "doctrines of demons". In all the groups like the LC/LSM there are special teachings which are presented as distinctive to the group. These special teachings must be looked at very, very closely because many of them are "doctrines of demons". They can be doctrines of demons in their basic substance OR in how they are emphasized.

Example Teaching: "We are the unique expression of the body of Christ on the earth today" -- this is a doctrine of demons taught by a seducing spirit. It is not taught only in the LC, but in many other groups. Most ex-LCer's I know remember this teaching being shared in the past. Most of them took hold of this teaching willingly, but they did not know it was a doctrine of demons. If you still hold this idea at all, we can discuss it in light of the revealed truth of God's Word and character and how it really is a doctrine of demons.

The main point I am making is that to come into the state of 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (under the influence of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons) does not mean that you KNOW you are under their influence or teaching. It can be done without knowing. It can be done while thinking you are fulling supporting the "truth of the Bible". Your heartfelt belief in something that is true, but that is actually taught by a seducing spirit can lead you on the progression in 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

1. Depart from faith.
2. Giving heed to seducing spirits.
3. Speaking lies.
4. Having their conscience seared.

In simpler terms, we should be aware that we are ALL subject to the deceptions of the Enemy. It is only by following Jesus in a manner that can be costly at times that you will be delivered from all these deceptions.

For me, this journey of being delivered started one day while mowing the lawn at my parents house. I was about 17 and while mowing the lawn I had a realization that seemed to come from nowhere, but now I know it was the Spirit of God. I realized that I was deceived. I was born to parents under deception who were also born to parents under deception. I realized that I did not know the ways in which I was deceived, but that Satan had been around for millenia while I had only been around for a few years. So, I started a journey from that point under the presumption that I was deceived and I asked the Lord to reveal the truth to me. I did not demand it. I did not think it would happen overnight. From that point forward, I presumed that I was deceived. I still presume that I am still deceived, but God has shone a lot of light into my life and my heart. I have been delivered from many things including many "doctrines of demons" which were presented to me by "seducing spirits".

What is a "seducing spirit"? I have come to believe it is actually quite simple. It is a demon who carries knowledge or insight that YOU WANT. The things that you DESIRE to know are their targets. If you will receive their "offering" in the form of a "doctrine of demons" and lay hold of it then they can lead you off target in your walk with God.

As it relates to this thread and whether some christians could experience some amount of the millenial kingdom in "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" there is a DESIRE to KNOW what will happen in advance. In truth, it is a "fleshly" desire to KNOW that you won't be part of that. We prefer to hear that it is not for any christian to put our mind at ease. In truth, we cannot know for sure and we have to be willing to live with the unknown. While holding this unknown in our heart, we have to follow God. We have to trust in our good Father and ask Him to help us to be good children. As children, we do not know, see or understand everything. This is especially true for the things that God only provided partial information. Our seeing in part and knowing in part is intentional on God's part. It is what positions us to exercise faith in Him.

Matt

P.S. As a "fun" exercise try reading the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America and asking yourself, are there "doctrines of demons" in it that you believe in? ...any discussion on this topic would be outside the scope of this forum. Just a provocative question to consider...