WHAT CAUSES APOSTASY
By W. G. Guy
Apostasy refers to the falling away from the faith once held. This is a condition that the apostle Paul warned could occur to some believers prior to the coming of the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In order for believers to lose their confidence in the Lord and in His Word they have to be distracted toward other things. Such distraction leads to what is known as compromise. There is much compromise among Christians today, thus many of those in churches are headed for apostasy. How has this been allowed to happen?
As already mentioned, it is caused by distraction, having ones attention drawn to that which is less important. Most distractions are due to focusing on material things; the things of this world. Such distractions take your attention away from the things of God, His Word, and what is freely provided through Jesus Christ. Jesus warned us about such things in the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13:22 – He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Jesus also gave a similar warning regarding the last days prior to His return.
Luke 21:34 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Looking upon the things of this world will draw your attention away from the kingdom of God, the realm of His domain.
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Focusing attention on the things of this world feeds the carnal nature with covetousness; the desire to acquire and possess things.
Luke 12:15 – And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
You may have lived this way in the past, but having come to the Lord, through Jesus Christ, you are a new creation; fashioned after Him in your spirit. Do not focus your attention on this world and the things of the flesh by devoting your time and money to such material and personal pursuits.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Believers in Jesus Christ are to keep their focus in Him and His Word.
Colossians 3:1-2 – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Walking in continued fellowship with Him, and seeking as your first priority the things of His kingdom, assures you that all that you have need of will be provided. God knows what you need and how to provide, if you trust Him.
Matthew 6:31-33 – Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God is a rewarder of them that are faithful and diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith (and faithfulness) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We must deny the lusts of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life in order to be holy unto God so that He can manifest His purpose in our lives. Thus showing the world that He is the Almighty God who protects and provides. Put Him first in your life and He will bless you more that you can bless yourself.
Psalms 37:4 – Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Also, do not allow yourself to treat the Lord God as your servant as many do asking Him to do their bidding. We true believers are His servants to do His bidding. Have you asked the Lord what He wants of you?
Please do not allow yourself to be drawn away from the Lord, and His Word, by placing too much attention on the things of this vile world. This is what leads to apostasy: the great end-time falling away! You want to remain faithful to Him so He can say to you as in Jesus’ illustration below!
Matthew 25:23 – His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Avoid the apostasy that too many will experience by remaining close to Jesus Christ who gave is life for you.
* * * * * * * * * *
My new book THE OTHER CHURCH will be available December 31, 2023 as an ebook and soon after in book stores.
By W. G. Guy
Apostasy refers to the falling away from the faith once held. This is a condition that the apostle Paul warned could occur to some believers prior to the coming of the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In order for believers to lose their confidence in the Lord and in His Word they have to be distracted toward other things. Such distraction leads to what is known as compromise. There is much compromise among Christians today, thus many of those in churches are headed for apostasy. How has this been allowed to happen?
As already mentioned, it is caused by distraction, having ones attention drawn to that which is less important. Most distractions are due to focusing on material things; the things of this world. Such distractions take your attention away from the things of God, His Word, and what is freely provided through Jesus Christ. Jesus warned us about such things in the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13:22 – He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Jesus also gave a similar warning regarding the last days prior to His return.
Luke 21:34 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Looking upon the things of this world will draw your attention away from the kingdom of God, the realm of His domain.
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Focusing attention on the things of this world feeds the carnal nature with covetousness; the desire to acquire and possess things.
Luke 12:15 – And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
You may have lived this way in the past, but having come to the Lord, through Jesus Christ, you are a new creation; fashioned after Him in your spirit. Do not focus your attention on this world and the things of the flesh by devoting your time and money to such material and personal pursuits.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Believers in Jesus Christ are to keep their focus in Him and His Word.
Colossians 3:1-2 – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Walking in continued fellowship with Him, and seeking as your first priority the things of His kingdom, assures you that all that you have need of will be provided. God knows what you need and how to provide, if you trust Him.
Matthew 6:31-33 – Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God is a rewarder of them that are faithful and diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith (and faithfulness) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We must deny the lusts of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life in order to be holy unto God so that He can manifest His purpose in our lives. Thus showing the world that He is the Almighty God who protects and provides. Put Him first in your life and He will bless you more that you can bless yourself.
Psalms 37:4 – Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Also, do not allow yourself to treat the Lord God as your servant as many do asking Him to do their bidding. We true believers are His servants to do His bidding. Have you asked the Lord what He wants of you?
Please do not allow yourself to be drawn away from the Lord, and His Word, by placing too much attention on the things of this vile world. This is what leads to apostasy: the great end-time falling away! You want to remain faithful to Him so He can say to you as in Jesus’ illustration below!
Matthew 25:23 – His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Avoid the apostasy that too many will experience by remaining close to Jesus Christ who gave is life for you.
* * * * * * * * * *
My new book THE OTHER CHURCH will be available December 31, 2023 as an ebook and soon after in book stores.