Doctrines of Devils?

1 Timothy 4:1-2 “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; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (KJV)

I fully understand that proper exegesis of scripture must be context inclusive. I also understand that the Apostle Paul was often in conflict with Judaizers who foisted their historic doctrines and practices upon newly converted Christian saints. So as one reads further down into Paul’s letter to Timothy regarding the doctrinal struggles that will ensue in the last days, it would be easy to presume that a Jewish foot print from the first century might be what we will be contending with in our last days experience. But I would suggest that the “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” will look far less Jewish than they will Post-Christian.

Let me explain. I believe that the greatest challenge to genuine believers in Jesus Christ and His gospel in these our last days will be an alignment with a post-Christian society. The reason being; post-Christian culture tends to WORK and IS GAINING a beachhead as accepted doctrine and practice for the modern church.

So either we get on board or we begin to loose market share like a sinking ship looses buoyancy as it goes down. Therein lays the challenge to the genuine Church of Jesus Christ.

Because we live in a seductive age most of us are accustom to being seduced and we don’t even realize it. Check the label or logo on your clothes? Take note of the vehicle you drive or the neighborhood you live in? What brand of PC or phone do you own? Is it the latest and greatest? Check out the food in your cupboard and refrigerator; is it brand name or generic?

Now granted, there is little harm in having things we like in our lives, but I would ask why we live and move at the beck-an-call of Detroit, Madison Avenue, Silicone Valley, Hollywood and even Washington D.C.? My contention is that we are seduced into believing that our current condition is less than satisfactory so we need change and we need lots of it. But very often NOT in the way that God would ordain.

And that insatiable appetite for more and different has crept into the ranks of our once held dear sound Bible doctrines. All in the seductive name of post-Christian progress and outreach. That’s right, progress and outreach.

Because we’ve failed to understand the gravity and dynamics of a last days falling away from the faith, we end up believing that our historic doctrines once held dear and to the death, may now be up for interpretation and change. All in the name of continuing the progress and outreach that we so desperately need to hold market share.

Take a look at what we are fighting about in these United (tongue in cheek) States. Is something Constitutional or not? Is the action of a state or judicial bench or congressional committee in alignment with the HISTORIC INTERPRETATION of the Constitution? History is being revised and rewritten faster than any of us could ever imagine; and so too with our biblical history; possibly even altered to the point of no return.

In an age that is more than willing to rewrite many of the historic accounts of Christ and the doctrines of the Apostles we must be ever vigilant to persevere in the faith once held dear to first century believers; belief that would not sway in the tide of popular opinion or demand.

So what might doctrines of devils look like? I believe one must study the language and conversation of Satan himself.

Check out the following examples. Albeit, the first literary mention of Satan is in Genesis, we’ll first go to the portion of scripture where Lucifer (Satan) attempts his devilish coup on the throne of God.

Isaiah 14:12-14 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Don’t miss the KEY which opens the connection to our post-Christian era crisis. Take note of the words “For thou hast said in THINE HEART… I WILL.” Forget the projected locale for Lucifer’s aspirations (heaven, throne, mountain, clouds, divine likeness), the corruption is found in the heart originated desire stated as I WILL. I will ascend, I will exalt (me), I will sit, I will ascend, and I will be.

That’s right, his way, NOT God’s. And that desire within the heart is what we are warring against in this very day.

Or how about noting the dialogue in Genesis 3 between the serpent and Eve regarding the one thing God had commanded her. What did the enemy do, but seduce the ME FACTOR inside of Eve’s heart to the point of motivating her to violate God’s one and only command.

The enemy’s ploy was to get Eve to believe her desires would take her to bigger and better places than anything God had afforded her. And that ploy is still in use today in the form of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

This seduction is based upon genuine desires for change, progress and even outreach in the name of evangelism, but at what expense? Maybe the TRUTH?