Allow me to set up a scenario.

Two friends are chatting after a Sunday service. One friend comments to the other about feeling “under attack” lately. Outside of the church, this statement would be directed toward an individual or individuals giving the person a hard time. In church-world however, this is coded speech for a spiritual attack.

The friend might respond by asking for an explanation, to which one will be given about the hardship or struggle. Often more matter of fact than actually explaining the spiritual implications of the situation. In return, the friend will politely, and almost automatically respond, “I’ll pray for you.” These prayers may or may not be given at that moment, if ever. The conversation moves on.

Did they realize they were talking about demons?

I’m thinking not. And yet, this is a normal Christian interaction. They have missed the mark and missed the seriousness of their dialogue. Neither person has truly contemplated what they’ve been discussing.

They might not even know what being “under attack” really means. They might be oblivious that they’re talking about spiritual warfare, like with real angels and demons, happening all around them. Because being “under attack” has become Christianese for, “I haven’t been feeling myself lately“?

The Apostle Paul provides some insight.

The first letter to Timothy, written by the apostle Paul is just as necessary for the church today as it was when it was first written two thousand years ago. Instruction on authority, orderly worship, and good family conduct; 1 Timothy has it all!

Related to today’s discussion, we’re taking a deep dive into chapter 4, where Paul outlines a few important warnings. Warnings that, based on the scenario outlined above, many western churches still need today. Too many Christians in the Western world are unaware of what a true spiritual attack looks like. Too many local churches are unaware of how demonic activity plays out in their midst.

Why? I don’t know exactly, but I tend to believe it’s related to our relative peace and prosperity. Compared to the rest of the world, our affluence may have dulled our awareness of how demonic activity impacts our lives. And the attack may be deceptively designed just for us.

What might demonic activity look like?

As we read Paul’s warning to Timothy, we should be willing to admit that some parishioners are experiencing demonic oppression and truly “under attack” but can be completely oblivious to it!

For example, Hollywood horror flicks have taught us to believe in overtly pointy-tailed devil-like creatures roaming around us. These attacks are always very physical, which are possible but not the norm. This is all part of the deception.

We need to remember that demons were once angels and follow the great deceiver, Satan. Therefore, spiritual oppression rears its ugly head in deceptive ways.

[bctt tweet=”We need to remember that demons were once angels and follow the great deceiver, Satan. Therefore, spiritual oppression rears its ugly head in deceptive ways.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

Paul lays this out for his young apprentice, at the beginning of chapter four:

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

As we continue chapter four, Paul describes a couple of the commands (or demands) that may come out of this kind of ‘deceived‘ teacher. They stem from an evil spirit of legalism. Let that sink in for a moment, that legalistic teachers, who set up rules for their people, might be controlled by demons.

Is that not a sobering thought?

The bigger question is how do we guard against this? What might it look like in our churches? If we look at churches that are bogged down in discord and facing decline, the evidence is often found in their rules and regulations, policies and procedures, meetings and committees. Not that these are inherently evil, but the reasons for implementing them and clinging to them might be.

How can we tell which ones are evil? We ask ourselves, how centred are these regulations and committees on core Biblical principles? More importantly, are they stemming from Christ’s Gospel mission? Mining for these answers will provide insight as to whether or not, demonic activity is involved.

Our leaders might be following demons.

Are you uncomfortable with that statement? Am I really talking about church leaders who might be following demons? Am I really talking about pastors and elders who might be led by evil spirits?

That is what I’m saying because Paul said it first.

It is entirely possible that a local church may have a church leadership that “follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons“. Considering how long demons have been around, it shouldn’t be that shocking. Consider that they’ve had 2000 years to fool and trip up followers of Jesus.

What do we do with this information?

How should we respond? If I ended the post here, you’d be left with a discouraging outlook on the future of church leadership. You wouldn’t know how to deal with these types of spiritually oppressive situations. Well, don’t leave yet; take heart!

Paul gives Timothy (and the local church) some action items, beginning in verse six:

“If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” (1 Timothy 4:6-7)

It may not be easy, but the key is speaking up. We need to call it out when we see our church leaders moving away from our Gospel mission and Biblical grounding. Not sure what that looks like? Flip back to the previous chapter, in 1 Timothy 3, and read through the roles and responsibilities of Elders and Deacons.

[bctt tweet=”It may not be easy, but the key is speaking up. We need to call it out when we see our church leaders moving away from our Gospel mission and Biblical grounding.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

If our pulpits and board rooms become platforms for legalism and false teachings, we should be bold and speak out against such foolish talk. We should keep in mind that such teachings may be stemming from the influence of demonic activity.

As a final encouragement, I’ll leave you with the same words that Paul left with Timothy.

“Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:11-12)