Doctrines of Devils?

amariselle

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"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If 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." 1 Timothy 4:1-6

If the Bible says that forbidding to marry and commanding that people "abstain" from meats are "doctrines of devils", why do so many Christians accept these restrictions (often commanded and imposed by church leadership) as actually from God Himself?

Thoughts?
 

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"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

I believe that is the answer to the questions.

If more people would study the word of God on a regular basis instead of simply taking what church leadership proclaims is truth, more eyes would be opened.
 
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If the Bible says that forbidding to marry and commanding that people "abstain" from meats are "doctrines of devils", why do so many Christians accept these restrictions (often commanded and imposed by church leadership) as actually from God Himself? Thoughts?

I wonder the exact same thing.

In the 11th century, a certain high ranking church official issued a decree requiring all church leaders to be celibate

Abstinence is one of our oldest Christian traditions. From the first century, the day of the crucifixion has been traditionally observed as a day of abstaining from flesh meat (“black fast”) to honor Christ who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.

Up until 1966 the law of a certain church group prohibited the eating of meat on all Fridays throughout the entire year.
 
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Korean-American Christian

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I believe that is the answer to the questions.

If more people would study the word of God on a regular basis instead of simply taking what church leadership proclaims is truth, more eyes would be opened.

I agree with @PropheticTimes
 
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faroukfarouk

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"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If 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." 1 Timothy 4:1-6

If the Bible says that forbidding to marry and commanding that people "abstain" from meats are "doctrines of devils", why do so many Christians accept these restrictions (often commanded and imposed by church leadership) as actually from God Himself?

Thoughts?
It's interesting that these verses seem to refer, not to people with 'lax' or 'liberal' views of Biblical doctrine (also wrong) but to very legalistic people.
 
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amariselle

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I wonder the exact same thing.

In the 11th century, a certain high ranking church official issued a decree requiring all church leaders to be celibate

Abstinence is one of our oldest Christian traditions. From the first century, the day of the crucifixion has been traditionally observed as a day of abstaining from flesh meat (“black fast”) to honor Christ who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.

Up until 1966 the law of a certain church group prohibited the eating of meat on all Fridays throughout the entire year.

It is interesting and, I think, very important to think about. After all, if Scripture clarifies something is not of God, then we should reject it.

Also, I understand that many refer to Paul and his writing on how it is better not to be married (as he was unmarried), but Paul also wrote that it is better to be married then to burn with lust. Neither Jesus Himself nor Paul, nor any of the other disciples ever forbid marriage or eating certain foods. (And most believe that Peter was married).
 
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It is interesting and, I think, very important to think about. After all, if Scripture clarifies something is not of God, then we should reject it.

Also, I understand that many refer to Paul and his writing on how it is better not to be married (as he was unmarried), but Paul also wrote that it is better to be married then to burn with lust. Neither Jesus Himself nor Paul, nor any of the other disciples ever forbid marriage or eating certain foods. (And most believe that Peter was married).

I agree. Jesus did not forbid marriage. God told Peter that it is okay to eat food that had been considered unclean for the Israelites since Old Testament times. Paul did write that it is better to be married than to burn with lust.
 
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amariselle

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It's interesting that these verses seem to refer, not to people with 'lax' or 'liberal' views of Biblical doctrine (also wrong) but to very legalistic people.

What interests and actually concerns me, is that Paul warns that some will "depart from the faith" specifically by "giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." Then he gives two of these "doctrines of devils" that will apparently be accepted:

1. Forbidding marriage
2. Commanding people to abstain from meats

Paul isn't just writing vaguely here regarding deception, he actually specifies two particular "doctrines of demons" that will be listened to and says that such is a departure "from the faith."
 
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faroukfarouk

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What interests and actually concerns me, is that Paul warns that some will "depart from the faith" specifically by "giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." Then he gives two of these "doctrines of devils" that will apparently be accepted:

1. Forbidding marriage
2. Commanding people to abstain from meats

Paul isn't just writing vaguely here regarding deception, he actually specifies two particular "doctrines of demons" that will be listened to and says that such is a departure "from the faith."
Yes, interesting.

I think that what is significant here is that it's not referring to people remaining single (many devoted single women have been wonderful missionaries, for example). Neither is it referring to people who for health reasons actually prefer a vegetable diet.

It's the compulsion that is the unhealthy spiritual aspect here.
 
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amariselle

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Yes, interesting.

I think that what is significant here is that it's not referring to people remaining single (many devoted single women have been wonderful missionaries, for example). Neither is it referring to people who for health reasons actually prefer a vegetable diet.

It's the compulsion that is the unhealthy spiritual aspect here.

Yes, if a person is truly called to remain single, or convicted by God not to eat certain things, then they absolutely should obey and He will give them the strength to do so.

When such things are demanded and forbidden by church leadership and doctrine however, that's an entirely different matter.
 
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faroukfarouk

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Yes, if a person is truly called to remain single, or convicted by God not to eat certain things, then they absolutely should obey and He will give them the strength to do so.

When such things are demanded and forbidden by church leadership and doctrine however, that's an entirely different matter.
Well, exactly; therein lies the difference.
 
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amariselle

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Well, exactly; therein lies the difference.

Agreed.

So I wonder how, for so many years these "doctrines of demons" have actually been imposed on so many and accepted by so many, just as Paul said the Holy Spirit had revealed to Him it would happen?

It is amazing to see all the ways in which God's word is true and speaks to us for all time.
 
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faroukfarouk

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If more people would study the word of God on a regular basis instead of simply taking what church leadership proclaims is truth, more eyes would be opened.
This is exactly so, yes. :) Psalm 119.105
 
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Agreed.

So I wonder how, for so many years these "doctrines of demons" have actually been imposed on on many and accepted by so many, just as Paul said the Holy Spirit had revealed to Him it would happen?

It is amazing to see all the ways in which God's word is true and speaks to us for all time.

Maybe this will help -

Most of my family is of a certain denomination, which I will not mention here in order to avoid any type of finger-pointing. Church attendance was a must, but they were never taught to read the Bible. What they were taught in church was what was to be considered "Biblical truth".

My mother is 74 and has just now picked up a Bible to read for herself, and it is difficult for her, but she is sticking with it (I'm so proud of her). What caused her to do this was my niece and I having conversations on Scripture and what she was hearing was NOT what she was taught.
 
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Abstinence is one of our oldest Christian traditions. From the first century, the day of the crucifixion has been traditionally observed as a day of abstaining from flesh meat (“black fast”) to honor Christ who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.

There is also the fast of the first born in Judaism on that day.
 
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If the Bible says that forbidding to marry and commanding that people "abstain" from meats are "doctrines of devils", why do so many Christians accept these restrictions (often commanded and imposed by church leadership) as actually from God Himself?

Thoughts?
That's the way doctrines of devils work. If they were seen for what they are, people wouldn't fall for them.
 
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amariselle

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Maybe this will help -

Most of my family is of a certain denomination, which I will not mention here in order to avoid any type of finger-pointing. Church attendance was a must, but they were never taught to read the Bible. What they were taught in church was what was to be considered "Biblical truth".

My mother is 74 and has just now picked up a Bible to read for herself, and it is difficult for her, but she is sticking with it (I'm so proud of her). What caused her to do this was my niece and I having conversations on Scripture and what she was hearing was NOT what she was taught.

I agree. This is why we need to read the Bible and carefully study it. It's too easy sometimes to just take someone else's word for what it says.

I'm very glad to hear your mother is reading the word of God for herself. :)
 
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Yeshua HaDerekh

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God told Peter that it is okay to eat food that had been considered unclean for the Israelites since Old Testament times..

That is not true. What He showed Peter in the vision was that GENTILES were not unclean.
 
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amariselle

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That's the way doctrines of devils work. If they were seen for what they are, people wouldn't fall for them.

Yes, unfortunately, and as the Bible says, Satan can and does "masquerade as an angel of light."
 
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I agree. This is why we need to read the Bible and carefully study it. It's too easy sometimes to just take someone else's word for what it says.

I'm very glad to hear your mother is reading the word of God for herself. :)

Thank you! I am very proud of her for undertaking this at her age. She truly desires to know the truth.
 
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