Dear friends, in the last issue, we read about the increasing godlessness in the world and how we can be saved from God’s anger by means of our faith in the Blood of Jesus. Because of this great sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we are purified and accepted by God as righteous. But then, while the forgiveness of sins is made freely available to us, and however godless the world may become, we must bear in mind that no child of God keeps on sinning (1 John 5:18).
The rise in godlessness is something that has been witnessed by Christians over the centuries. Even at the time of the early Christians, godlessness was on the rise. St. Paul who could foresee it, wrote to Timothy warning him… Evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse deceiving others and being deceived themselves. (2 Timothy 3:13). Of course, the godlessness at that time was not to the extent that the world is witnessing today. But it was increasing.
Note that in the latter part of his sentence Paul speaks about people being deceived. What he meant was that in the last days, many Christians will become godless as a result of being deceived. They will hold on to the outward form of Christianity but reject its real power. (2 Timothy 3:5). But what troubled St. Paul more was that even some of those who had spiritual grown were also listening to the lies of Satan and were in danger of falling from their safe position. On another occasion, he wrote... I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ—in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake's clever lies. (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Doubtless, what happened at the time of St. Paul is bound to happen in our times as well. Many even in leadership positions will be deceived and in turn deceive the flock placed under their care. Jesus Himself warned, “False Messiahs and false prophets will appear… in order to deceive even God's chosen people, if possible.” (Matthew 24:24). Therefore, it is important that we remain alert in these times so that we don’t fall prey to the tricks of the Devil. Schisms are already seen taking place in the Church in various parts of the world. The words of St. John are very much apt for our times… My children, the end is near! You were told that the Enemy of Christ would come; and now many enemies of Christ have already appeared, and so we know that the end is near. These people really did not belong to our fellowship, and that is why they left us; if they had belonged to our fellowship, they would have stayed with us. But they left so that it might be clear that none of them really belonged to us. (1 John 2:19)
In order to resist the deceptive lies of Satan, it is important for us to note the advice that St. Paul gave to Timothy… As for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15). This means that the only way to counter the lies of the devil, and in turn the rising godlessness, is by being rooted in the Word of God; because God’s Word is the truth. (John 17:17). And if remaining in the truth was so important for Christians living at that time, how much more important will it be for us now.
Mere knowledge of the Word of God is not sufficient; because in such times, the Devil can use even Scriptures to deceive people. St. Paul wrote… The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3). Didn’t the Devil use scriptures while attempting to deceive Our Lord in the desert? However, the presence of the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to use the right scripture at the right time.
We too have been given the same Spirit who reveals to us the truth (John 14:17). When we start giving importance to Word of God and keep on meditating on it as Timothy would do, the Holy Spirit opens our mind to understand the truth about God. Jesus Himself said, “When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, He will lead you into all the truth.” (John 16:13). We may be having a lot of knowledge of the Scriptures, but we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit especially in these times. As St. John says… Christ has poured out His Spirit on you. As long as His Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For His Spirit teaches you about everything, and what He teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit's teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ. (1 John 2:27).
Finally, if we want to keep ourselves from falling into the traps of the devil, we must always strive to do the will of God. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people… because these are evil days. Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:10, 15-17). And to the Colossians, he wrote… We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him. Your lives will produce all kinds of good deeds, and you will grow in your knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10). Therefore, we can see how important it is in the times that we are living, that we are well-equipped with Scriptures and at the same time are led by the Spirit at all times, always seeking to do the will of God.
