Who Is Hindering Us From Obeying The Truth? Part 1 Doctrines of Demons

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-9 (NKJV)

The Book of Galatians is a great book, and one of my favorites within the New Testament.  The Apostle Paul was writing to those who had made a profession of faith in Jesus - to those who had accepted the Gospel message - but had now turned and started to follow other religious practices being introduced by the enemy.  

One could take this same message today and simply put their town or city name on the front of it in lieu of Galatia.  The reason though would be the same - walking away from the simple truth of the freedom on Christ.  The Galatians had accepted the this truth and freedom, only to be tempted to walk right back into the bondage they were freed from - attempting to obey every one of God's laws in an effort to earn His love and His forgiveness.  

Again, many Christians today have made that same profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, only to keep from obeying the truth.  There are a couple of common reasons I believe for this, and I would like to take a look at two of these reasons.  Let's look at the first reason people start out well, but are hindered in obeying the truth.  

1.    People are being deceived by Satan to believe that their profession of faith in Jesus was not enough to be saved.

This is exactly what was happening to the believers in Galatia.  They were being confronted by Judaizers (extremist Jewish faction within the church), who told them this was not enough - they must do more!  The Galatians were told they were going to have to submit to Jewish laws and traditions to really be saved.  Unfortunately, all too often, Christian believers are being deceived into believing in something other than the Gospel message (See 1Cor. 15:1-4).  And most of the time, these false beliefs will mandate doing something in addition to what the God's Word tells us to.   

The deceptions can take on different forms, but the goal is the same - it is to tempt believers and non-believers alike, to take their eyes off of the Bible and to lead them to put equal or more credence into another writing.  When the enemy can minimize the truths contained within the Bible by either adding to it, or substituting it altogether, he will be successful.  

Virtually every false doctrine will attempt to take away from what Jesus did on the cross, and will insist on adding something more to do in order to be accepted and saved by God.  We see this prevalent in many false beliefs - some claiming to be Christian.  The enemy knows he cannot stop the truth of what Jesus has done upon the cross for our sins from being spread, so he has resulted to counterfeiting the Christian belief, and substituting simplicity of grace and faith, with works, and religion.  

Let's be clear here, God has told us clearly in His Word to watch out for these false doctrines.  And we have been told in the later times, some would even depart from the faith because of these false doctrines (1Tim 4:1).  In the Book of Galatians we can see Paul saying, Hey, even if an Angel from heaven or any other person preaches any other gospel, let him be accursed.

Let's be perfectly clear here - we don't have to belong to "ANY" religion or specific church.  We don't have to worship on any particular day.  We don't have to eat certain foods.  We have to believe in Jesus Christ and accept what He has done on the cross for our sins.  We have to believe in His resurrection. We have to accept Him as our Lord, and as our Savior (See John 3:14-16; 14:6; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Cor 15:1-4; Eph 2:8-9.) 

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV)
 
God has told us within the bible, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." This settles it.  The Bible will equip us for EVERY food work - not just some. 

I want to encourage you Christian; don't be deceived by the enemy.  Don't believe in any message or false doctrine claiming another gospel.  Don't believe anyone coming door-to-door attempting to give you another book or magazine - saying it contains the real truth or saying you have to read their stuff in addition to the bible - because its a lie!

In Part 2 we will look at another way the enemy is deceiving Christians and hindering them in obeying the truth. 

STUDY QUESTION: What does the Bible say about other gospel messages other than the one contained within the Bible according to Galatians 1:6-9?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Do you believe you are saved by grace through faith, and that you can only be saved through the acceptance of Jesus?

APPLICATION: Continue to read your Bible daily.  It is the only way to answer those who come with deceiving doctrines of demons.  When you know the truth real well, it is easy to spot a lie.