1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. -1 Timothy 4:1-3 BSB
There’s a three-step process that demons take in the hopes of killing for good one’s faith. The false teachers they use have to deconstruct the truth from your mind and replace it with theirs, or else, it won’t work. We will look at 1 Timothy 4, verses 1 through 3, to show the enemy’s three-step to deception.
Step Number 1(teachings of demons): Satan and his demons will come up with a false doctrine that closely resembles God’s Word so that it would be more palatable for Christians and non-Christians as if it’s a message from God.
Step Number 2 (hypocrisy of liars): To get their deceptive message out to people, they will handpick a pseudo-Christian, a false prophet or teacher, who is easily deceived. They are the ones who continue to be in bondage (i.e., morally defeated by the desires of the flesh). Some of the sins that these pseudo-Christians are shackled to are the love of money, sexual indulges and the support of others who do the same, fame which is to be loved by the world, to be praised by men, and many other things like it.
These false prophets have no problem having one foot in the Lord and the other in the world to satisfy their sinful cravings.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ -Matthew 7:21-23 BSB
Step Number 3 (They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods): Their false teachings entail an outward appearance of “righteousness” that will make them seem godly to others. It promotes abstinence from marriage to some clergymen or for others, to abstain from certain foods as a way for the demons to make them feel closer to God, but in reality, they are falling deeper into deceit. They will make you think that holiness comes from changing one’s outside appearance instead of the inside to reflect God’s morals.
There are many false teachers out there and if you are a Christian, you are a big target. You must take strong measures to protect yourself by seeking the Lord, knowing His Word, and staying in prayer. The closer you get to Jesus, the safer you will be.
Spiritual Minefield 