THE SPIRIT OF LAWLESSNESS: (Part 12)

POST #12 THE SPIRIT OF LAWLESSNESS

LAWLESSNESS CAUSES ONE TO “GIVE AN EAR TO” AND THE “FOLLOWING OF” SEDUCING SPIRITS:

In these days which we live there seems to be a renewed “spirit of lawlessness” released upon the earth. The topic of sin and lawlessness is not a popular one.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV  Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,  (2)  through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,  (3)  who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,  (4)  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Rather than men listening to and following the Spirit of God and the Word of God, they would yield to those spirits that led astray. The spirits referred here are any that cause someone to err. The most obvious and natural reference is fallen spirits or demons. The seducing spirits may also apply to false teachers who are under the influence of evil spirits. This may be applied to any false teaching, but it is evident that the Apostle Paul had a specific apostasy in view. It is a false teaching that would greatly corrupt the Christian faith.

2 John 1:7-8 ESV  For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.  (8)  Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Mark 13:21-23 ESV  And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.  (22)  For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.  (23)  But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

2 Timothy 3:12-14 ESV  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,  (13)  while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  (14)  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

1 John 2:26 ESV  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

Face it, lawlessness is upon us and all around us. We choose each day what we will do. It is easy to compromise and do just enough that people will not question our Christian faith. Or we can burn with the fire of God and be a stumbling block to those who wish to compromise and a fiery coal to those who deny our Lord Jesus Christ. Woe unto us when the world speaks well of us. If we are hated, let it be for righteousness sake.

Luke 6:26 KJV  Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luke 6:22-23 KJV  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.  (23)  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.