We need to be ready for end times.
Who are "those that fall away"?
1 Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons".
It's obvious that this verse is about people giving heed to demons during end times. Just in case there's any question, I believe Paul was writing to believers because he says "some will depart from the faith". They couldn't "depart" unless they were already Believers!
Our goal is to help people get free from deceiving spirits. God told us that our job was to help Christians get their wedding garments clean and ready to put on, and prepare our lamps with oil.
We need to be strong to withstand the enemy's attacks.
Satan's desire is that we don't believe that he's real, and he has no effect on our lives.
A recent Barna Study found Four out of Ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan "is not a living being, . . . but is a Symbol of Evil." Another 20% said they "agree somewhat" that he isn't real.
If you believe he isn't real, you couldn't believe he (or his demons) can affect you. If you don't believe Satan and demons are real, you wouldn't do anything to cleanse yourself of past damage, or defend yourself against future attacks.
1 Peter 5:9 says we should "Resist" the Enemy. Resist is a Military Term involving battle, it means to "Stand Against" or "Oppose". It does not mean we should ignore the enemy; he won't just leave us on his own accord.
Many people don't want to "stir him up". If we're working in the Kingdom, he's already stirred up! If we don't see it, or know it, what could he be doing to us? We must know the opposing team, we need to know all their strategies and how they might affect our lives, and we must know how to overcome the enemy!
