1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Once again I’m presented with a chapter in which every verse is underlined, because it’s all so important and relevant! After prayer, I decided to start with this first verse, because we’re certainly seeing its fulfillment today. The degree of insanity that is being accepted in society in general, and even in many churches, is mind boggling. Who would have imagined that fundamental biology would be denied in the name of “tolerance” and “acceptance?” Deceiving spirits are certainly running rampant! I just finished a science fiction novel that was badly marred by projecting “gender fluidity” and “pronouns of choice” onto the future society that was portrayed. It styled itself after Greek tragedy, but there wasn’t much actual science presented! It would be bad enough if that were just secular society, but it becomes tragic indeed when it infiltrates the Church. We have got to speak the truth in love, but that certainly means speaking the truth, and not being silent in the face of blatant lies and deceptions. The thing is, the devil is more clever than we are, so we’ve got to rely on God’s wisdom and not our own. Thinking we are wise in and of ourselves is a huge trap, and indeed, it is part of what snared Adam and Eve in the garden, deciding what to do while ignoring what God had said to do. We are all too easily deceived, which is why we’ve got to submit to God before we can resist the devil. (James 4:7) The Bible indicates in various places that things are going to get even worse before the end comes, so we’ve got to hang onto our Lord and Savior and allow Him to cleanse us and protect us by His truth.

This certainly applies to me as much as it does to anyone. I have a high IQ, which makes me particularly vulnerable to the deception of elitism, thinking I know better than others so the rules don’t apply to me. We see people throughout society that are snared by that one. I am to be grateful for all that God shows me, but know that everything is by God’s grace, so I have no room for pride. I am in full agreement with C. S. Lewis’ statement that when we get to heaven we will all discover we were wrong about some things. Humility with conviction must be my attitude. I am to know and teach that God will never violate what He has already had recorded in the Bible, and so test every idea and concept against that. Far too many teachers teach from the Word, instead of teaching God’s truth! I am not to allow myself to be used as an instrument of deception, but rather walk in consistent humility and obedience.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the good teaching I received at the recent conference. Help me know when and how You want that communicated to those to whom I minister, so that we may be more and more free by Your truth. Thank You. Praise God!