INTRODUCTION

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 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
See All...). This shows that the best defense against departing from the truth is a consistent feasting upon the truth.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): False teachers teach heresy (a denial of the truth of God’s word). Peter tells us they will even deny the Lord. Their end is destruction and many will follow them to this destruction (2 Peter 2:1-2 [1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
  See All...). Growing in grace and knowledge helps us recognize false teachers (2 Peter 3:15-18 [15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. [17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): How do you feel when others walk away from the truth? Why do people walk away? Are they generally spiritually seduced gradually or quickly?
• How can we ensure that we are “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
  See All...)? How can this help us be steadfast in the faith?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to nourish you in His word.
• Ask the Lord to strengthen the saints of God at your church.

HYMN

LOYALTY TO CHRIST

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