Daily Devotions
1 Timothy
"Speaking lies in hypocrisy..."
Text: 1 Timothy 4:2
THE WORK OF DEMONS IN THE DAYS OF THE LORD JESUS
The work of demons was carefully noted in the Gospels. Their work in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ was chiefly seen in the way they possessed human beings. That approach was defeated soundly by the Lord Jesus Christ! Many demons were cast out by the authority and power of the Saviour!
THE WORK OF DEMONS IN LATTER TIMES
A signal shift was noted by the apostle Paul when he wrote these words of warning to Timothy.
“Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience
seared with a hot iron.”
1 Timothy 4:2
1. The make-up of demons
a) Demons are essentially spirits.
b) They do not have a material form.
2. Human agents
a) They work through human agents.
b) These become servants of the Evil One.
3. “Speaking lies in hypocrisy”
a) These false teachers spoke lies.
i) Some attempted to offer “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6).
ii) These sought to “pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7).
iii) These so-called gospels were exposed simply as “lies” (pseudo).
b) “In hypocrisy”
i) They may appear to be genuine.
ii) But in fact these speakers hid behind their hypocrisy.
4. “Having their own conscience seared with a hot iron”
a) The conscience should have bothered these people.
b) The reason why their conscience did not speak to them was simply stated.
i) Their conscience had been seared with a hot iron.
ii) Their conscience was therefore severely damaged.
iii) They were no longer sensitive to the pricks of the conscience.
c) Thus they could preach perverted forms of the gospel without feeling any guilt.
This was a solemn word of warning that the Spirit of God had revealed to the apostle Paul.