Scripture Read: 1 Tm. 4:1-2 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
Application: The Body of Christ cannot afford to ignore it’s conscience. The conscience is the gateway to the greatest sensitivity to the Holy Spirit or to the hardening of one’s life and heart toward God. The age we live in is a very dangerous one for those that allow their conscience to be influenced by men’s doctrine instead of the scriptures. Today more believers base their lives on what the newest book for the latest superstar in the church has written. Am I saying other writings are worthless? … Of course not, BUT the question is what place do we give any other teaching, other than that which is from the Bible, as far as authority in our life? The sad truth here is that many of these “so called” super teachers have become so hardened in conscience they would not see what they are teaching as from demons even if a demon showed them. Their conscience can no longer feel the truth. Consider what “seared” communicates:
Seared: καυστηριάζομαι (kaustēriazomai) This rare term, which means “to burn with glowing iron,” occurs figuratively in 1 Tim. 4:2, where false teachers are said to have “branded” consciences. The thought seems to be that they are the slaves of demonic forces. Runaway slaves and criminals were branded in antiquity; also sometimes prisoners of war, workers in the mines and munitions, and army recruits. This practice underlies the metaphor[1]
The words “speaking, having seared, forbidding” refer to the human agents of the seducing spirits. Demons are spirits, that is, free moral agents without physical bodies, and these are the seducing spirits. As to the expression, “speaking lies in hypocrisy,” Expositors says: “The spirits work, and the teachings are exhibited in the hypocrisy of them that speak lies; and this hypocrisy finds detailed expression in regulations suggested by a false asceticism.” The clause could be better rendered “through the hypocrisy of liars.” It connects with “departing from the faith.” That is, these individuals depart from the faith through the hypocrisy of liars, the false teachers. These who depart from the faith have their conscience seared with a hot iron. The words, “hot iron,” are superfluous. Vincent offers, “branded in their conscience.” He says, “The metaphor is from the practice of branding slaves or criminals, the latter on the brow. These deceivers are not acting under delusion, but deliberately, and against conscience. They wear the form of godliness, and contradict their profession by their crooked conduct (II Tim. 3:5). The brand is not on their brow but on their conscience.” These are branded with the marks of Satan (II Tim. 2:26) as Paul was with the marks of the Lord Jesus (Gal. 6:17).[2]
This should be the number one warning to us concerning conscience. The word here means to be branded – our conscience can be branded as a slave to deceit – what a horrible state. Not only do you become a victim of your own lie but you lead others into it with you. Our conscience is so important – we must protect it and keep it sensitive to Him – that is done by living in truth. When we continue to live two lives – one public and one private – One that talks about truth but one that practices lies – we burn a brand in our conscience – killing the sensitivity and leaving a clear sign for the enemy to camp in our life. Stay in the Word and He will be close to you!
* Meditation Questions: How often do I reflect on my spiritual life? How often do I try to justify things I have done that are wrong? Do I have someone in my life that holds me accountable for how I live and what I believe? When I read a new book and find that it sounds like truth – what is the first thing I do?
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