Day 20 - I Timothy 4:1-2

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

Don't be Deceived

1 Timothy 4:1-2

¹Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ²Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

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cripture clearly teaches that the last days will be a time of great deception. When asked by His disciples about the sign of His coming and the end of the age, Jesus replied, Take heed that no one deceives you (Matt. 24:3-4). Paul makes the same point in this passage. It should be noted, however, that the last days began with the coming of the Messiah and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. For example, when asked the meaning of the speaking in tongues on the Day of Pentecost, Peter replied that it was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy: It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17). Paul, no doubt, considers the false teaching he is confronting in Ephesus to be a fulfillment of what the Spirit has said about the latter times. Since we are probably living at the latter end of the latter times, these passages are even more relevant today.

Departing From the Faith

The word “depart” is from the Greek word apostesontai, which means “to withdraw or abandon.” It is the word from which we get “apostasy.” What is being abandoned is not just their faith or trust in God, but “faith” with the definite article, i.e., the Faith. When used with the definite article, the Faith refers to the body of teaching that is essential to the gospel. What is at stake with the false teaching in Ephesus is the very gospel itself.

Deceiving Spirits & Doctrines of Demons

Paul says that those who depart from the Faith do so by giving heed (paying attention) to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. Remember that Satan does not come in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork; rather, he comes as an angel of light to deceive (2 Cor. 11:14). Deceiving spirits love to play on human ego and pride and the fleshly desire for something new, novel, and sensational. We must be alert! Everything that glitters is not gold! Only as we arm ourselves with a love for the truth can we avoid Satan’s snares.

Speaking Lies in Hypocrisy

The words “hypocrisy” and “hypocrite” come from hupocrates, which referred to the actors in Greek theater. These actors often played their roles behind large masks that extended from head to foot. Jesus used this word for the religious leaders of His day, reproaching them for not being real and for playing pompous roles behind religious masks. In this passage, Paul uses the word to describe those who are propagating the false teaching. He is saying that they are acting or pretending to be something they are not. Because they have lived in violation of what they know to be right and wrong, their consciences have become seared or deadened, i.e., they no longer feel any shame or compunction for their evil words and deeds.

Avoiding the Great Deception

We can avoid the deception predicted in Scripture by making it our goal to know truth and to walk in it. May God give us all a burning love for truth. Speaking of the last days in 2 Thess. 2:10, Paul says that people will be deceived because, they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved. On the other hand, Jesus promised in John 8:31-32, that if we would continue in His word, we would be His disciples indeed, And you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.

Reflection & Prayer

O Lord, in these days of great confusion and deception, create in us a love for the truth. And grant us the courage to walk and speak the truth all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!