1 Timothy 4:1-3 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. --NASB In the name of the One Who explicitly warns us of the falling away, amen. The devil is active even in the church, where he tries to draw people away from the faith through false doctrine. After all, where should he expend the greatest amount of energy--outside the church with those who are already lost, or inside the church with those who are not lost? He already has those outside the church. He only needs to maintain his hold on them. But inside the church is where he can make gains. This is a frightening reality, but we see that the Holy Spirit has warned us ahead of time. And, as the saying goes, fore warned is fore armed. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit Who does everything necessary to give us the victory over Satan in Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer: Holy Spirit, You have warned us about falling away, and about doctrines of demons. Keep Your word in our minds so that we are not fooled, but stand firm to the end, amen.
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