Stand Valiant for the Truth!

1 Timothy 4:1-5   
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

God showed us here as a warning to Timothy that certain apostate teachings will lead people away from the sound teaching of scripture as Paul had reminded Timothy earlier in this letter.  Apostasy begins with leaving sound biblical doctrine and believing deceptive teaching, as in Eden where Eve was made to question God’s word and goodness, leaving the certain trust in God’s sovereign love.  Here the lies lead to repeated disobedience, which in turn cauterizes the conscience, which the results in setting rules not given by God, but institutionalized by man led astray.  Some of these man commands include prohibiting marriage or certain foods.  We see this in the Roman rules of making it anathema for priests or nuns to marry, eating only fish on Fridays, and other conscience-binding commands.  These have an appearance of godliness, but deny the source.  We who are called out in Christ are to be thankful for all He provides, setting it apart by prayer according to His word.  These latter days are full of manmade rules in place of true faith and obedience to God’s word, but the faithful read and understanding as they are taught sound doctrines of grace.  We stand valiant for the truth.