Point Out Deceiving Spirits

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth…

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3,6)

No one likes to be told that they are wrong. No one likes to be corrected. That’s why our world encourages everyone to just get along. Just shrug your shoulders. Don’t ever criticize.

Christians must not develop that attitude. Why? God commands Christians to point out deceiving spirits. God commands Christians to stand up for the truth and to point out false teachings.

Of course, we need to be careful how we do that. The Bible isn’t encouraging us to judge others hypocritically. Do you know what that means? To judge hypocritically is to judge others without judging ourselves first. Jesus tells us to take the plank out of our own eye before we try to take the speck out of someone else’s eye. The first “deceiving spirit” we should judge is our own sinful nature.

Second, the Bible always encourages Christians to watch out for pride and self-righteousness. No Christian should ever come off as a “know-it-all” or “better-than-you.” Knowing that we’re sinners saved by God’s grace leads Christians to be humble in every conversation.

Yet, none of that changes the fact that the Bible calls on Christians to point out deceiving spirits. In Paul’s day, false “Christian” teachers forbid people to marry and ordered them to abstain from certain foods. Those false teachings needed to be pointed out! In the same way, we still need Christians to boldly point out the false ideas spreading in our world today. Point out deceiving spirits!

Like one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread. Have you ever heard that phrase? Like one beggar showing another where to find bread, we sinners seek to show other sinners where to find our Savior Jesus. Jesus nourishes us with his truth. Don’t eat other junk. Feast on the truth from Jesus!

Dear Lord God, it’s easy to be timid and just shrug our shoulders at false teachings. Instead, make us bold to point out deceiving spirits, all while humbly trusting in your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.