Things Taught By Demons
1 Timothy 4:1-3
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 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.
God’s Word promises that “in later times” people will follow teachings from deceptive spirits and demons themselves. Furthermore, these teachings will come through hypocritical liars with seared consciences. Therefore, we must be on our guard and “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1) I also must ensure that I am an honest man myself, not a hypocrite, and protect my integrity. Lastly, I can intentionally thwart hypocrisy in my own life by “walking in the light” and confessing all my sin. (1 John 1:5-10, James 5:16)
The Narrow Road
Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Jesus Christ teaches that only a “few” find the narrow road. Furthermore, Christ continues preaching a solemn warning regarding false prophets after this passage in Matthew 7:15-20. Interestingly, the LORD finishes his teaching highlighting that there are those who call him “Lord, Lord” and yet Jesus will tell them to get away from him and that he never even “knew” them. These rejected souls will have cast out demons, preached (prophesy), and even performed “many miracles“! (Matthew 7:21-23)
Therefore: Hear & Obey Jesus
Jesus concludes this dire series of warnings about the narrow road, false prophets, and self-deceiving religion by teaching us to hear his words and “put them into practice.” We are to hear HIS words and OBEY them. Sadly, people often put words into God’s mouth or take them out of it. We want the LORD Jesus to say what we feel he should say. Interestingly, people often base this sentiment off of what they think or feel is “fair” and so put words into God’s mouth.
Personally, I can get frustrated or offended when people “put words in my mouth”. Often, my wife and I have had quarrels where the foundation of it was assuming what was said and “filling in the blanks” of the other person’s communication. We make each other into meat puppets when we imagine one another saying something and then get angry at what we imagined in our assumption. Sadly, when I insert my own interpretations and meanings into what Amy has said – or not said – it always hurts our relationship. Putting words into someone’s mouth is hurtful and lazy relationally.
Patiently Pursue Truth
I am helped greatly by this negative experience of “assumption” both in my relationship with others and especially with God. Firstly, I have learned to be patient and seek to understand my wife’s heart and to recognize “putting words into her mouth” in assumption as a lack of love. If I assign meaning and intent to what Amy says (or does not say) with my own assumptions and attitudes it is very selfish and ungodly. Obviously, when I assume and put words into Amy’s mouth it leads to ungodly conflicts and division.
Secondly, I have been trained by these “assumptive” scars in our marital relationship to recognize when I am treating GOD the same way! Do I assume I know God’s Word says something or Jesus thinks a certain way because it “makes sense to me?” Does what “makes sense to me” determine who saved and on the narrow road? Honestly, Am I the “Willy Wonka” handing out the golden ticket to Heaven? Do I determine by my measurement, sentiment, traditions, or feelings who is saved and who is not? Additionally, do I get to put words in God’s mouth assuming what is morally acceptable to him because “I am not really hurting anyone?”
Judgment Begins With “Us”
1 Peter 4:17
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
The Bible says that it is hard for the righteous to be “saved.” Clearly, the saved are disciples (“Christians”) of Jesus and are members of “God’s household”. Interestingly, God’s household is where eternal judgment begins! The scripture asks an intense rhetorical question. First, a rhetorical question is one with an obvious answer and is asked to make a point. Shockingly, Peter makes a stinging point by asking “what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God”. Sadly, his point is that those who disobey will not be “saved.”
An Inconvenient Truth
2 Timothy 4:3
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Jesus Christ warned us solemnly about how narrow the road is and that both false prophets and self-deceived individuals will lay claim to eternity “deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13) Additionally, the scriptures further caution about hypocrites who will be led by deceptive spirits and teach things taught by demons! Furthermore, the Word of God says that “members of God’s household” will be FIRST in line on judgment day! We’d like to assume God’s family will get “special treatment!” However, the “Inconvenient Truth” is that only a few will be saved. (1 Peter 3:20)
Itching Ears
People with “Itching Ears” refused to put Jesus’ words into practice even if they have heard them. Instead, they put words into God’s mouth and refuse to acknowledge that they even do so. We can relate to how hurtful and upsetting it is when someone “puts words in our mouth”. Therefore, we can consider God in a similar manner and refuse to assume anything about what he says. Instead, we can listen to him in his Word. God’s own words in the Bible tell us what salvation entails and what is morally righteous. We can then pursue the truth of his heart by reading his word and putting into practice what he commands. (Matthew 7:24-27)
All Nations Made Into Disciples
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus Christ wants every person on this earth to be made into his disciple, baptized, and then taught to obey his commands. Therefore, we must know what being a disciple of Jesus actually means according to Jesus. I must put my feelings, traditions, personal interpretations and/or opinions all under the Word of God. Finally, Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” in John 14:6.
The “truth” is that our eternal salvation is through Christ and is found in “no one else”. (Acts 4:12) Additionally, Jesus’ “way” is narrow and only a “few” find it. Furthermore, Jesus Christ both gives and determines the eternal “life“. I pray we eagerly seek life in Christ according to Jesus and we never put words into God’s mouth!
