This post is mostly scripture, but wanted to share as there is a good bit of false teaching in the world today and, unfortunately, not all of it is easy to tease out as it does a good job of preaching love. However, pay close attention, as even the devil knows scripture. This is evident in that he used scripture when tempting Jesus as described in Matthew 4:1-11. Further, the bible also calls out that even demons know who Jesus is (and shudder) as told in James 2:19.
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars, seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe in truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 (NASB)
Note for 1 Timothy 4:1-3: the reference forbidding people to marry and staying away from foods is a sample of the false teaching that was occurring in Ephesus. As is the case with false teaching, there is generally elements of truth but the deception, in this case, is in making human works a pre-requisite for salvation. This is a distinguishing mark of all false teaching. Personally, I also wonder if the use of the term food could be considered a metaphor as we are also taught that we are to "live by the word of God alone" - Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3.
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (NASB)
Note for Romans 1:28-32: The assertion here that "God gave the over to a depraved mind" indicates that God has tested man's mind and found them worthless/useless. Also, given that we have free will, God will not force us to follow him. The reason for this is due to love. Just as you can't force someone to love you, God will not force us to love Him. If He did that, then it is not love for Him that we experience and give to Him. It would make us more comparable to mindless drones. God wants us to follow him of our own accord and not because He forces us to do something.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NASB)
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, brining swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgement from long ago is not idle and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)
Note for 2 Peter 2:1-3: Please pay attention to this. While it may seem that false teachers are raised to esteem or allowed to continue in their teaching, their judgement is coming and is not idle. It will come. If not in this life, then certainly in eternity when they have to answer for their teaching and actions.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NASB)
For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. Hebrews 6:7-8 (NASB)
"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast and bear fruit with perseverance." Luke 8:14-15 (NASB)
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the firsts spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Hebrews 2:1-4 (NASB)
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this, you will ensure salvation for yourself and for those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16 (NASB)
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11 (NASB)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:15-16 (NASB)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15 (NASB)
Note for Titus 2:11-15: Our salvation is via faith and our following of Christ. Any other path leads to destruction. Please realize that God loves us too much to force us to spend time with Him in eternity. From my perspective, He doesn't send us to hell rather we choose to go there.
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