It is always a painful experience to see those who once walked with the Lord now walking contrary to Him. Families and friends are hurt because of those now living contrary to God’s dictates. Paul warned Timothy that this departure from the faith would take place in the last days. A firm and consistent stand for the faith would give way to an increase in the influence of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. No doubt, this has occurred since the inception of the New Testament church, but Paul warned that it would increase to its apex in the latter times. In response to the coming danger, Paul admonished the young preacher to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6). This shows that the best defense against departing from the truth is a consistent feasting upon the truth.
We are to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). This battle makes it imperative that we understand “we do not war after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3). Unlike many of the cults, we do not use physical weaponry in our attempts to accomplish the will of God. No physical sword or weaponry can convert the lost to Christ; however, the Bible does instruct us to use the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). In like manner, we do not have to resort to using physical weaponry to bring about our desired results during the spiritual battles. Instead, we flee to God's throne to find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We must insure that we do not carelessly allow ourselves to believe that the spiritual weapons are inferior to carnal weaponry. The Bible enforces this thought by reminding us that our weapons are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
