1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times, some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
As we see our world situation change constantly it brings up more and more questions about the condition of the world and we don't have to search too deep to find out what God's Word says about it all. It is one thing to see it in the Bible, and still another thing to believe it. In the above scripture, Paul is writing to his "son in the faith" Timothy and his warning of false teachers is for Timothy to heed and yes, for us. Paul also says that the Holy Spirit tells us "clearly" about the last times and what will happen. Of course, we need to heed the Holy Spirit's messages to us about the end times and take it to heart! There is a famous way of looking at truth as presented by G.I. Joe where he says "knowing is half the battle" when it comes to fighting the enemy.
So let's take the above scripture and see what the Holy Spirit can tell us about the battle we have in our world. In verse 1 Paul says there will be deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. Demons? Yes, Demons. So this spiritual battle that Paul tells the church at Galatia about has to be addressed. In Galatians 5 Paul tells these believers to let the Holy Spirit be their guide and He should be our guide as well. Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
The Holy Spirit is to be our guide and that is a Biblical "fact!" Paul gives a list of what happens when we follow the sinful nature and the list is lengthy. Three of the results are some of the problems the modern-day church must stay away from like selfish ambition, dissension, and division. These things led by the sinful nature are way too prevalent now in the modern-day church and they have played havoc in getting anything accomplished for Jesus. We will never do what we were commissioned to do as believers if we are not like-minded and purpose-driven. Some of us need a fire started underneath us to get us off center and get serving and being the church. Today is the time for that to begin.
The Battle is a Spiritual battle and we must fight it with the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul said it this way in Ephesians 6 where He writes 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Sounds like demons to me) Humanism is so prevalent now that even thinking about being in a spiritual battle is laughed at by very carnal Christians. So we get blind-sided because we don't pray and study God's Word and the result is a weak and lifeless faith and this shouldn't be. Why? Because we are victorious because of Jesus!!
We must let the Holy Spirit have control in our life. Paul wrote this to the church at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.20 Do not scoff at prophecies,21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.22 Stay away from every kind of evil. When humanism is followed by believers we try to hold back the Holy Spirit because we don't understand how He works, so we dismiss the need for the Holy Spirit, and that's when we have forgotten who is in us doing the work. Paul had to constantly remind the churches he established of the need for following the leadership of the Spirit because they continually relied on the Law. The Spirit didn't nullify the Law, but fulfilled it and that happened when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for us to live in.
Remember that God is our sufficiency. The Psalmist in chapter 46 said it this way. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. God's power is still evident and real today, but it is vital that we trust His power so we can handle the spiritual climate of our world. God is faithful.
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren