Advice About Apostasy

[1 Timothy 4:1–5]

1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2]  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3]  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

We see in this text a strong warning about apostasy.

An apostate is one that departs from the faith.

This text is a warning about when it happens in the church and not about will it happen.

1. The Indication of Apostasy

[1 Timothy 4:1]

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Apostasy is predicted in Scripture.

A. The Teacher.

“Spirit”

The teaching about apostasy comes from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a Divine teacher.

Divine teaching will never be proven false.

B. The Trait.

“Speaketh expressly”

The word “expressly” indicates that the message was pure, plain, precise, particular, and powerful.

The message was evident and easily understood.

The Holy Spirit does not speak with doubt, distrust of disbelief.

C. The Time.

“Latter times”

“Latter times” means it will come later on.

It does not limit apostasy to any certain time.

The early church experienced apostasy and every age has seen it.

“Latter times” indicated that the greatest apostasy will come in the final days of this age.

We see much apostasy in our day and indicating that we are coming to the end times.

D. The Throng.

“Some”

Not everyone will apostatize.

We will feel like Elijah when he thought he was the only one, but, in fact, some seven thousand had not bowed the knee to Baal (I Kings 19:14,18).

Apostasy will be widespread but “some” indicates that not all will defect.

E. The Transition.

“Depart from the faith”

The English spelling for the Greek word translated “depart” is “apostatize.”

Apostasy is a departure from truth to error.

Apostasy occurs when folk forsake the true faith to give their loyalty to a false doctrine.

Apostasy occurs when a denomination changes its doctrinal statement to be politically correct rather than Scriptural.

2. The Instant of Apostasy

[1 Timothy 4:1]

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

The condition in the hearts of people help incites apostasy.

Paul gives three conditions that will make a person susceptible to apostasy.

A. Attention Problems.

“Giving heed”

When a person begins to “give heed” or give attention to false doctrine, he exposes his attraction to that false teaching.

B. Alluring Problems.

“Seducing spirits”

“Seducing spirits” will allure you to false teaching.

C. Accuracy Problems.

“Doctrines of devils”

Doctrines are either of God or of the devil.

Doctrine which asks you to turn from Divine doctrine is devilish doctrine.

Give heed to these doctrines and you will be departing from good and sensible doctrine.

3. The Influence of Apostasy

[1 Timothy 4:2]

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Leaders who lead others into apostasy are not good people.

They have some serious character flaws.

Those who broadcast error in contrast to Biblical truth will usually have serious character flaws.

A. Bad Message.

“Lies”

Communicators of error are given to lying.

If a man is not advocating the truth, he will have to lie.

Truth cannot be forsaken without embracing lies.

B. Bad Methods.

“Hypocrisy” (I Timothy 4:2).

False religion is filled with hypocrisy.

If there is hypocrisy within the Christian ranks, the world is quick to point it out.

False teaching is filled with hypocrisy and the world says little about that.

C. Bad Mentality.

“Conscience seared”

When the conscience is working, it helps to keep one faithful to the truth.

When the conscience has been so abused that it no longer works.

Then one can do evil without restraint.

Those who advocate apostate doctrines do not have a good conscience.

4. The Illustrations of Apostasy

[1 Timothy 4:3–5]

3]  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Paul gives two examples to illustrate the practices of apostasy.

These two illustrations are projecting characteristics of apostasy and can still be found practiced in our day.

A. Teaching About Marriage.

“Forbidding to marry”

Apostates will forbid marriage when God does not.

They will sanction marriage where God forbids it.

B. Teaching About Meals.

“Commanding to abstain from meats”

The word “meats” here in our text is not limited to animal food but includes chewable food.

[Genesis 1:29]

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

[Genesis 9:3]

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

1) The Food Was Sanctified By God.

“God hath created to be received … sanctified by the word of God”

Those who forbid certain foods typically do not forbid bad food.

They forbid God’s food but allow the devil’s food.

2) The Food Was Sanctioned By Gratitude.

“Received with thanksgiving … sanctified by … prayer”

Both Christ (Matthew 14:19) and Paul (Acts 27:35) gave good examples of giving thanks before a meal.

These instructions are not meant to sanction gluttony or being overweight and other abuses of food.

They are simply forbidding food that is not forbidden in Scripture.