Seducing Spirits

The Great Apostasy -

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

To be an excellent servant of Christ, it is important that we have a good understanding of apostasy.

One example of apostasy would be the account of Amazia, king of Judah.  He was king during the time of Isaiah the prophet.  2 Chron. 25:2 says, "he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart."  On the outside he did everything in that was required in accord with the religion of Israel.  He understood it and he behaved by its ethics, but "not with a willing heart."  On the outside he looked good, but he did not have a personal relationship with the living God.  He was soon lured away into idolatry and began to worship the gods of Edom, to which he bowed down and burned incense (2 Chron. 25:14).  He was murdered by his own people after turning away from the Lord 2 Chron. 25:27).

Apostasy happens today just as it did in the Old Testament and in the church at Ephesus, where Timothy was when Paul wrote this letter.  There are always people who understand the faith intellectually according to the revelation of God, but have no heart for living to please God.  Hebrews 3:12 says that those who depart from God demonstrate an unbelieving heart.

Paul states in 1 Timothy 4:1 that some - like Judas, Demas, or the disciples of John 6 who walked no more with Christ - " shall depart from the faith" (Greek, aphistemi, "to remove yourself from the position you originally occupied").  Apostasy isn't an unintentional departure or someone struggling with doubt.  It characterizes someone who deliberately abandons truth once affirmed for erroneous teaching.  "The faith" refers specifically to the body of Christian doctrine, not the act of believing.  Some will depart from "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).  People who understand and outwardly affirm Christian doctrine but don't have a heart for God are prime candidates for being seduced by demons to depart from the faith.

An apostate is not someone who never knew the truth but someone who knew it and rejected it.  He may have even been involved in various religious activities.  But because he never truly knew God, he was lured away by the siren voices of the demons behind idols and false religious systems.

(Understanding the Seducing Spirit by John MacArthur)