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.”  Only those of us with faith can lose it.  The scripture states “that in latter times some will depart from the faith,”.  How could we possibly lose our faith you ask?  By “giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”  We, Christians, must all stay close to the Word of God and not be deceived by false doctrine.  WE are the very ones the deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons will try to guide away from the truth.  God has sent us His servants; His preachers and teachers of His Word and we must pray for their strength, wisdom and knowledge.   They are the ones God uses to lead us to Him through faith in Jesus and the Cross.  In 1 John 4 the Bible tells us to test the spirits.  Deceiving spirits will not confess Jesus.

Mark 7:7 Jesus says to the pharisees “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”   Are we receiving the grace and love of Jesus or are we learning the rules of religion?  If we stumble are we convicted by the Holy Spirit or are we condemned by the rule makers?  Colossians 2:22 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?”

Extreme doctrines are taught; from hyper grace to Christian cannibalism but the Gospel is the only way down the narrow path.  God has grace for all, given freely and abundantly to all who believe in Jesus and the Cross.  Our Salvation was paid for at a very high price.  Galatians 5:13 “…(we)have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”   Liberty abused in the presence of others can cause them to stumble.  Hypergrace is abusing the liberty the Lord has given us.

Obedience is required when we choose the way of righteousness instead of the ways of the world.  Sometimes the “ways of the world” may seem easier but the Holy Spirit convicts us.  We are dead to the sin nature.  We may stumble but we run back to the Lord.  Sin is no longer “fun”.   Christian cannibalism is the extreme religious doctrines taught by some today.  Galatians 1:15 “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.  Be careful not to be deceived.  Confess Jesus and profess God’s Word.  Don’t sit on the sidelines of the Kingdom of God; jump in and be a part of the Kingdom of God! – Donna Warren