Power
of Demonic Influence
1 Timothy 4:1-5
Background
Paul is giving his attention now to
opposing elements
Paul is addressing the heresy and
apostasy taking place in the Ephesus church
Apostasy is predictable and Satan stands
behind it when it occurs
The Christian
life is certainly not free of tension. If it were, the triumphant note
just sounded in 3:16 might have concluded tidily with "and they lived
happily ever after." However, though at times we might wish for it,
this life is not a fairy tale, and that sort of ending must be left till the
end (Rev 21:4). There it is fitting, but now it is a matter of hope. The
biblical picture of the Christian life in this present age, confirmed by a long
span of church history, is one of struggle and steady opposition. It is
not that there is no joy and peace for the Christian, but that until Christ
returns, joy and peace are found within the believer and within Christian fellowship,
often in stark contrast to the actual circumstances of life.
IVP NT Commentaries
Let’s
unpack this quote:
Christian life is not free of trials
The one that brings opposition is
Satan’s very own
True joy and peace is found in “True
Believers” as well as “True Christian Fellowship”
A
few things to be noticed about the demonic apostasy:
·
Apostasy is the act of rebelling, forsaking, abandoning, or falling
away from what one has believed (Several views about an apostate)
o
True believers may stray, but never fall away
o
Those that fall away, were never really saved (John 6:66; Judas)
o
A belief for a while does not necessarily equate true regeneration
o
That believers maintain the freedom to reject God’s salvation
Satan is at the root of all opposition, aiming to lead those
astray
·
It is certain that we will encounter “deceiving spirits and things
taught by demons” (2 Cor. 11:15; 2 Cor. 11:3 (aim to corrupt from a complete
and pure devotion to Christ); 4:4)
This encounter is a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12)
The apostasy should not surprise us
The Spirit in v. 1 is God
The Spirit’s predictions were clearly
told
The false teachers or demonic influences
were uncertain and doubtful
Not all are carried away from their
faith (only those who are not truly saved)
These seducers and deceivers pretend
they come from God
·
“Men must be hardened, and their consciences
seared, before they can depart from the faith, and draw in others to side with
them.” Matthew Henry
A sign of departure from faith is when
they will command what God has forbidden, forbid what God has allowed or
commanded, such as marriage and meats.
For Paul the conscience is the faculty of decision. It enables
the believer to proceed from the faith, the vertical dimension of belief and
knowledge, to the corresponding horizontal activity of godly behavior (see on
1:5). The false teachers had lost the ability to make such decisions
effectively--since their concept of the faith was distorted, their ideas about
godly living were equally distorted.
So
What?
Engage in the spiritual battle against
sin and Satan (Eph. 6:10-17)
Find Strength to fight this spiritual
battle only through a vital relationship with Christ
Stand firm in what you believe (Acts
24:16; 1 Cor. 16:13-14)
True conviction of sin is evidence that
one has not fallen
Desire for God’s redemption plan reveals
“True Belief” (Psalm 37:3-4)
What God has created should not be
rejected
o
Made holy by His Word (Matthew 4:4)
o
Made holy through Prayer
Be confident in the grace and mercy of
God
But
I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you
may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45
