Steadfast in Truth and Thanksgiving

Main Idea: Pursuing God's Truth with Thanksgiving Will Prevent Falling Away From the Faith

Good morning church, as we come together today I want to start by reflecting on a sobering reality. We all know some one it might be a friend a family member or perhaps a fellow churchgoer who once walked with us in faith but has since drifted or turned away.

They may have been deeply involved in the church or attended our prayer meetings or even engaged in ministry. Yet somehow they’ve become ensnared by false teachings worldly values or moral failings they’re no longer living out their faith as followers of Christ.

It can be easy to think back on our life and pick out people who we’ve known that this has happened to, but it’s also a cautionary tale for ourselves.

Paul says in: 1 Corinthians 10:12

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

This warning from Paul in Scripture isn’t just rhetorical it’s a real and present danger because we are all vulnerable in our own lives.

We are engaged in a constant battle against a cunning and deceptive enemy who wants nothing more than to see astray from our path of righteousness.

So how do we guard against this? How do we ensure that we don’t become like the people Paul talked about in chapter 1 who have shipwrecked their faith?

Paul takes a look at this issue here In the passage we are going to look at today.

He warns us that in later times, a period that covers the entire church age and will intensify as Christ return nears, that some will abandon the faith. Paul’s urgent message to Timothy and to us is to be vigilant as these challenges intensify.

To stay faithful, Paul gives us a clear course: Pursuing God’s truth with Thanksgiving will prevent falling away.

First he shows us the Issue, there are those who will fall away from the faith. Then he offers a solution in the form of a theological argument that is important for us to understand, an outlook grounded in thankfulness and a steadfast hold on God’s truth which anchors our souls.

As we dive into this passage let us do so with a prayerful heart looking not just to understand his warning but to actively apply this call to steadfastness and thankfulness in our own lives.

1 Timothy 4:1–5 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, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1. The Issue: Some will Fall Away

A. Our Spiritual Fight

From the dawn of creation, God not only formed the material world but also populated the spiritual realm with beings beings set apart for Him. Angels, God’s messengers and servants, contrast starkly with those that chose to turn away and reject their creator, the demons—those rebellious spirits led by Satan, a fallen angel . These demonic forces wage a relentless war to thwart God’s purposes and lead His people astray.

Paul’s stark depiction in his letter is not just historical; it serves as a critical reminder that our struggles as Christians are not merely against human misunderstandings or earthly temptations, but against "the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). These forces operate both overtly and covertly, seeking to deceive and destroy.

We might find it easier to acknowledge demonic influence when it’s blatant, like the possession cases reported in the Gospels. However, Paul teaches us that the threat is often more insidious. False teachers, appearing as leaders of righteousness, have infiltrated the church. These men, influenced by demonic doctrines, seduce believers subtly, not with overt evil, but with distorted truths that lead even the faithful subtly astray.

Consider Paul's words about the latter times, a period marked by deception and falling away from the faith, which he identifies as already underway during his and Timothy’s ministry. This wasn't a distant future warning but a present reality, indicating that the church has been living in these "last days" from the time of Christ until now. The deception mentioned by Paul reflects a deep, spiritual apostasy fueled by teachings that originate not from human error alone but from demonic influence.

These deceitful spirits, as described by Paul, work through individuals whose consciences are seared—marked by Satan, showing a disturbing allegiance to their malevolent doctrines. These individuals, once part of our community and possibly still within it, propagate teachings that are diametrically opposed to the truth of the Gospel. They are not mere victims of deception but active participants in spreading it, as Romans 1:32 says,

Romans 1:32 ESV

Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

What, then, must be our response? It is crucial that we remain vigilant, discerning, and grounded in the Word of God. The spiritual warfare in which we are engaged demands not only awareness of the enemy’s schemes but also a proactive stance in nurturing our spiritual lives through becoming more Christ like. We must hold fast to sound doctrine, ensuring that our teaching and our living are deeply rooted in the Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit, rather than being swayed by the fluctuating and corrupt philosophies of this world.

As we confront this reality, let us not lose heart but be encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, equipping us to stand firm against the wiles of the enemy. Let’s put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil, and having done all, to stand firm.

B. Our Mental Fight

We must also be aware of our Mental Fight. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that apostasy, or falling away from the faith, will begin in the mind. The forces arrayed against us are not only spiritual but intellectual, deploying deceitful spirits and doctrines that might sound biblical but are perilously skewed.

These demonic teachings are crafted to be subtle yet profoundly misleading, aiming to distort our perception of truth. Paul warns us that the danger is not in the overtly heretical but in teachings that only slightly deviate from the truth. This subtlety is precisely what makes them so dangerous—they are designed to fool us in our thinking, to make us question the fundamentals of our faith under the guise of intellectual or theological advancement.

In verse 3, Paul emphasizes that true believers "believe and know the truth." This knowledge isn’t merely intellectual; it’s a deep-seated acknowledgment of God’s word as the ultimate authority. However, this is where the mental fight intensifies, as we face challenges not just from outside the church, but often from within.

In our world today, especially within the broader American church, there's a significant movement that tends to minimize the importance of doctrinal truth. This perspective advocates for a version of Christianity that emphasizes love and tolerance above all, often at the expense of core doctrinal tenets. The rallying cry from this group is that "They will know we are Christians by our love," which, while true, is sometimes used to justify a dilution of the gospel. This approach, while seemingly benign, leads to a gradual erosion of foundational truths and can result in a form of Christianity that is unanchored from the scriptures.

On the other side, there is another extreme where zeal for doctrinal purity overshadows the essence of Christian fellowship and love in the name of Legalism. This group holds so rigidly to their interpretation of "The Truth" that it becomes a source of division and exclusion. Such an approach can isolate us, leading to a lonely, prideful stand where unity in the body of Christ is sacrificed on the altar of doctrinal purity.

Both these extremes pose serious risks. They highlight the necessity for discernment in determining the seriousness of doctrinal issues and the potential consequences of divergent teachings. The example Paul addresses about forbidding marriage and certain foods might seem trivial at first glance. Yet, he discerns the deeper issue—these teachings shift the basis of one’s relationship with God from internal to external. This not only fosters legalism and hypocrisy but also detracts from a genuine, heart-based pursuit of christ likeness.

It is here that we see the cunning strategy of Satan: to skew our thinking, to subtly twist our understanding of what it means to live out our faith. The battle for our minds is intense because it is often the gateway through which more overt spiritual battles enter. To combat this, we must engage with Scripture not just passively but actively. We must be scholars of the Word, equipped to recognize and refute error, and we must do so with a spirit that blends truth with love, standing firm on the essentials of our faith while fostering unity and grace in non-essentials.

Let us, therefore, be vigilant. Let us be thinkers who are as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves, navigating the treacherous waters of intellectual and spiritual deceit with the anchored truth of Scripture and a heart set to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this mental fight, our victory lies not in intellectual superiority, but in our humble adherence to the truth as it has been revealed to us through Christ Jesus our Lord.

C. Our Moral Fight

As we transition from our mental fight—where wrong thinking leads to skewed beliefs—to our moral fight, we encounter a profound truth: our actions and choices are direct reflections of our inner convictions. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, vividly describes how embracing the deceitful doctrines of demons impacts not just the intellect but the moral fabric of an individual’s life.

These individuals, having allowed corrupted thinking to invade their minds, end up with consciences that are, as Paul puts it, "seared" (1 Timothy 4:2). The imagery is stark, suggesting a conscience so damaged by repeated wrong choices that it becomes numb to moral discernment. This deadening leads to hypocrisy—a facade of righteousness masking an inner decay. Such individuals can commit wrongs without the pangs of guilt that would afflict a healthy conscience.

This moral decline shows up in two predominant but equally destructive ways: legalism and extravagance. Both paths represent severe misdirection from the gospel of grace and both stem from the same corrupt source—demonic influence leading to false teachings.

Let's explore these two extremes further.

Legalism, as Paul addresses, involves setting up strict, human-made rules as paths to godliness. In his time, this took the form of forbidding marriage and abstaining from certain foods—rules likely influenced by early Gnostic beliefs, which separated spirit and matter and denounced the latter as inherently evil. This led some to believe that extreme self-denial or strict adherence to rituals was necessary for spiritual purity. However, this is a complete misunderstanding of how righteousness is attained—not through human effort but through the grace of God.

On the flip side, extravagance, which was also fueled by Gnostic thought, exploits the idea that because matter is evil and spirit is good, what one does in the body bears no consequence on one's spiritual state. This belief leads to moral failings, where indulgence and immorality are not just excused but often celebrated.

It's crucial to understand that neither extreme gives a true, vibrant relationship with God. Both legalism and extravagance detach us from the genuine heart of Christianity, which is a transformative relationship with Christ that affects every aspect of our lives, inner and outer. These are not just errors; they are traps set by the enemy to entangle us in sin and separate us from God.

Some might think that our spiritual lives must fall in the middle of these two extremes, maintaining a balance between them. But in reality, these two are just different sides of the same coin of misunderstanding what Christ likeness truly is.

To understand this within our own experiences, consider how some modern religious practices might align more with these wrong paths than with biblical truth. For example, the official stance of the Roman Catholic Church insists that salvation involves more than faith in Christ alone but includes adherence to sacramental rites and human merits. Such teachings, while seeming to uphold high standards, can subtly shift trust from Christ’s sufficiency to human efforts, which is contrary to the foundational Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone.

As Paul continues in his letter to Timothy, he doesn't leave us in despair over these issues but guides us toward the solution needed to persevere—a perspective rooted in grace, scriptural fidelity, and an unyielding commitment to the truth of God’s Word. Let us, therefore, be vigilant in safeguarding our beliefs and practices against the subtleties of error that seek to lead us away from the simple, profound truth of the gospel.

2. The Solution: Pursue God’s Truth with Thanksgiving

A. Hold fast to Truth

Transitioning from the moral pitfalls of legalism and extravagance, it becomes evident that the core issue lies in a profound spiritual and intellectual struggle. This struggle, as we have seen, leads to falling away from the faith when not confronted with vigilance and a deep commitment to God's truth. The necessary shift here, the pivot upon which our spiritual survival depends, involves a faithful embrace of God’s truth coupled with a heart of thankfulness—a true hallmark of perseverance.

The Bible gives us a contrast between the deceit of hypocritical adherence to outward religious forms and the genuine engagement with God through His Word. In 1 Timothy 4:2, we see the outcome of a life lived in hypocrisy—lying to cover sin, avoiding the convicting power of Scripture, and adopting superficial practices to appear spiritual. This, indeed, is the path that leads away from God.

However, the Scriptures also outline the solution to this spiritual decline: holding fast to truth. This means embracing God’s Word as the ultimate source of truth that not only confronts our sin but transforms our lives. Spending time int he word daily serves as a vital discipline, allowing God’s truth to search our hearts and reveal areas where growth and repentance are needed. This practice fortifies us against the subtle deceits of the enemy who wishes to entangle us in self-exaltation and pride through man-made doctrines and false merit.

Moreover, holding to truth is not merely a defensive posture against deception; it is an active pursuit that involves thanking God for His many blessings. Recognizing that every good gift is a manifestation of God’s grace prevents pride from taking root in our hearts and redirects our focus towards gratitude. This thankful acknowledgment of God's generosity is foundational to maintaining a vibrant, truthful relationship with Him.

Satan's tactics have not changed since the Garden of Eden. He continues to sow seeds of doubt about God's goodness, twisting truth to appeal to our pride and self-interest. The narrative of Eve's temptation in Genesis 3 shows this clearly: Satan persuaded Eve to doubt God's goodness and to see His command not as protective, but restrictive, thus enticing her to act independently of God, which led to disastrous consequences. Just as Marty Basinger said during our sunday school session two weeks ago, Adam and eve fell because of a sophisticated argument. Many people today have sophisticated arguments agianst the Lord.

In the face of trials and suffering, this temptation can often reappear. Satan might whisper that a good God would not allow such pain, prompting anger and doubt towards God's character. It is in these moments we must be most vigilant. We are called to resist the devil by standing firm in our faith, humbly submitting to God's sovereign hand, and affirming His goodness regardless of our circumstances.

As we strive to hold fast to God’s truth, let us do so with a spirit of gratitude. Let us be diligent in allowing God's Word to mold our thoughts and actions, always ready to counter falsehood with the solid truth of Scripture. By living in such a way, we safeguard our faith against the continuous onslaught of the enemy, nurturing a relationship with God that thrives on sincerity, humility, and thankfulness.

B. Be Thankful for God’s Blessing

As we have explored the importance of holding fast to God’s truth, it’s clear that our spiritual health is not maintained by truth alone, but is deeply intertwined with thankfulness. This gratitude is not just a polite response to God's blessings but a profound and essential attitude that shapes how we experience and interact with the world around us. As believers, we are called to a life of gratitude that transforms our daily living and guards us against the deceitfulness of sin and the snares of the enemy.

Christians, uniquely reconciled to the Creator through faith in Jesus Christ, have every reason to rejoice. Paul reminds us in Romans that if God is for us, who can be against us? He is working all things together for our good because we love Him. This truth should instill in us an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Paul emphasizes this in his letters, urging us to give thanks in everything (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), and to live lives overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7), especially in light of the great salvation we have freely received.

Gratitude is mentioned specifically by Paul as a safeguard against spiritual decline (1 Timothy 4:3, 4). Bitterness or grumbling about God’s dealings indicates a vulnerability to spiritual attack, leading us down the path of ingratitude—a path that distances us from God. It is crucial, then, to cultivate a heart that not only acknowledges but also celebrates God's goodness, even amidst trials. This attitude not only fortifies our faith but anchors us in the reality of God’s unchanging goodness.

But our gratitude is not limited to spiritual blessings alone; it encompasses all aspects of God’s creation. Paul says that everything created by God is inherently good and given for our enjoyment, within the context it was intended. This includes the joy of human relationships, such as the covenant of marriage and the pleasures it entails, the delight of good food, and the beauty of the natural world. Each of these gifts provides an opportunity to revel not only in the gift itself but in gratitude towards the Giver.

Let us be clear, however, that this enjoyment is not a call to indulgence or selfishness. The discipline Paul speaks of in subsequent verses is a reminder that while all of life is sacred and spiritual, it must be lived within the boundaries God sets, in a manner that glorifies Him and benefits us. This perspective was echoed by the Puritans in their famous assertion that the chief end of man is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

We sanctify our entire lives—making them holy and set apart for God—through engagement with the Word of God and prayer. This extends beyond simply praying before meals, as Paul suggests. It includes recognizing and proclaiming God’s goodness in creation, as stated in Genesis. When we hike in the mountains, enjoy time with loved ones, attend a concert, or read a good book, we do so with a spirit of thankfulness, acknowledging that every good gift comes from above, from the Father of lights (James 1:17).

In essence, to know God is to enjoy Him and all that He has created. This enjoyment is not superficial but deeply spiritual, as it connects us more intimately with God and with the purposes for which He created us and the world around us. Let us then live not as those who merely consume the blessings of life but as those who, in every blessing, see the hand of the Creator, responding with heartfelt gratitude and joyful obedience.