The Conception of Apostasy

 

 

Without much argument, the true believer will agree that apostasy is a conception of the heart which has been ensnared through the enticement of Satan. He functions in the same manner as he did when he beguiled Eve to accomplish his purpose against God (Genesis 3:1-7). Jesus described him as the father of lies, who has been lying from the beginning (John 8:44). Satan attacks the believer with deception, by transforming his perception of the gospel so that the teachings of Jesus Christ seem conflicting with contemporary convictions. He makes the teachings of the true gospel requiring holiness and sanctification unenforceable in many church communities of this century.

Despite the seemingly reform in spiritual culture of modern times by those who have adapted to the new ideologies, Peter made the effort to warn believers of heretics who were destructive and working against the gospel of Jesus Christ. He reported: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (II Peter 2:1). The Chapter continues with many assertions concerning the activity and description of false prophets. Those persons are not careful with their interpretation and misuse of God's word and will invent any types of excuses to corroborate their arrogant message. Although the enemy works against the gospel, believers are encouraged that: “The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (II Thessalonians 3:3).

Concerning heretics, the Bible states, “Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (II John 9). Those who reject the teachings of Jesus Christ are false teachers and impostors, who are agents of the enemy. There are identifiable indicators such as subtlety and deception which often sets the apostates apart from others. They live in defiance and disobedience to the gospel, and will construct every conceivable justification to attack believers. The apostate is disloyal and confidently walks in disobedience to God’s word (Romans 1:21-23, 28-32).

The Bible states, “He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (I John 1:6). Consequently, if the individual is not walking in the principles established for Christianity, he is living a lie. Earlier in the passage it says, “He that says I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not him” (I John 1:4). These evidence identify those who are true to the word of God, and those who are not. Even if the true believer fails, there is forgiveness (I John 1:7-2:2).

 Unfortunately, some irresponsible leaders are unwilling to admit to their faults. Many are arrogant and veil themselves with pride, pretending that everything is all right, with no remorse. Their behaviours reveal the many ways in which heretics conceive and use their unscriptural beliefs to mislead other. They introduce their doctrines with intellectual and humanistic wisdom. The aim is to deceive those who are satisfied with faulty teachings, which give the impression of accuracy, but are far from the truth. Normally, those naïve individuals do not read, study, and examine the word, or listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that they can distinguish between heresy and the truth. They will certainly become easy prey for agents of apostasy.

Indeed, the Bible warns thus, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (I Peter 8-9). If everyone heeds the admonitions, no one will be overcome by the forces of darkness and the devices of Satan. Moreover, both Peter and Jude gave distinct and extensive descriptions about the character and activities of false teachers who are indeed instruments of apostasy (II Peter 2:1-22, Jude 1-25).

Those opposers are adversaries and enemies with evil hearts to deceive God’s people (Revelation 2:20). They invade the Body of Christ similar to germs on the physical body, with the intention of subverting the gospel, to cause division by undermining leaders who are standing for the truth. Therefore, it is fundamentally important for leaders to allow the gifts of the Spirit to operate in the church with full liberty, because the discernment of demonic spirits is as vital to the church as do any other gifts.

 

The Diseased Heart  

Evidently the conception of apostasy is the product of a diseased heart corrupted by inaccuracies and distorted perceptions. Since we do not know the contents of the heart of another person, anyone can develop an evil heart with seeds sown by the enemy to deceive and hurt others. The Bible teaches that only God knows the intents and contents of the immaterial heart of man and all things are naked before His eyes (Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 4:13). Doctors can examine and treat conditions of the physical or natural heart; but only God has the wisdom to diagnose and treat the inner heart of man where the emotions, temperament, and passions reside. Incidentally, when the inner heart of man becomes diseased, it will eventually affect the natural heart. This is evident after a traumatic experience which leaves the emotions of the injured individual damaged with all kinds of emotional toxins such as hatred, malice, anger, vindictiveness, and unforgiveness. If those problems are not dealt with, they will cause harm both to the invisible, and to the physical heart. There have been people who doctors have turned away because the stethoscope cannot diagnose an unforgiving heart; or one which is desperately wicked resulting in physical pain.

 

The Invisible Heart

Although we all have a natural and medically visible heart, there is also the spiritually invisible heart which only God knows its operation (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It is in this immaterial heart where the spirit of apostasy devises evil to seduce and ensnare those who are living carelessly in the church. The heart becomes evil resulting from a diseased soul. Although an individual knows what is right and has known the truth; that person refuses to obey, and chooses rather to be defiant to what is true, moral, and godly (Romans 1:21-23). Therefore, the apostate works deceitfully with various forms of inducements to appeal to those who are weak in their faith.

According to the word “The heart is deceitful above all (things), and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). It is in the heart where all kinds of evil deeds are conceived, and executed in behaviours with various forms of hurtful actions. Jesus stated, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are (the things) which defile a man…” (Matthew 15:19-20).

When the physical heart is opened you will not find these things there; but in the immaterial heart, this is where they are conceived, incubated, and exist. The person who finds himself caught in a web of apostasy is spiritually and morally corrupt coming from a sick heart. Despite the effort to portray godliness; it is only a pretence and not the truth (II Timothy 3). The reason is that an evil heart is a reflection of a diseased soul, which has become corrupted by the devices and deception of sin and hardened against the truths of God’s Word.

When we speak of the heart in this context, the reference is to the immaterial heart of humans which displays the inclinations of the soul and what it entails. From the biblical perspective, the immaterial heart represents the entire dimensions of the human emotions and thoughts pertaining to behaviours and intellectual deliberations. If those conceptions are perverted, they will affect the physical, and will also be displayed in behaviours and attitudes. We are three-dimensional beings of spirit, soul, and body, connected together for wholeness and the actions of one affects the other (I Thessalonians 5:23).

Clearly, the immaterial heart is the place where thoughts, reasoning, understanding, judgements; will, decisions; and all kinds of emotions originate (Matthew 15:19-20). It is in the heart where we conceive and store desires and intentions even when they are not displayed emotionally or behaviourally. Very often we make decisions from what we have stored in our hearts based on experiential or intellectual information. This is the reason why the heart can be described as being deceitful and desperately wicked because we can only understand another person’s intentions from the emotions and behaviour displayed, and from what is said.

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Activities of the Heart

The diseased heart formulates, accumulates, and hides evil imaginations with plans to carry out wicked schemes. If the heart has not been regenerated (Romans 12:1-2), it cannot produce that which is good other than pain and deceit. People formulate actions, and decide what they will do in their hearts, before executing their intentions. It does not matter whether the aim is to cause emotional or physical pain because their hearts are corrupt. Jesus said, “O Generations of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:33). When the heart becomes diseased, the enemy takes over, and manipulates the individual to carry out his devises. For example, we read about Judas, and how the enemy used him instrumentally to betray Jesus.

“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s (son), to betray him” (John 13:2). Undoubtedly, Judas’s evil heart was captured and directed by Satan who controlled his actions generated from his thoughts. Judas acted after he gave advantage to the enemy. The Bible teaches us that we should not be ignorant of Satan’s devices; otherwise he will gain an advantage of us (II Corinthians 2:11).

Therefore, the believer who lives carelessly, whether consciously or unconsciously gives full authority to the enemy to control his or her life. Greed is one of those open doors to the enemy which has deceived and captured the hearts of many leaders leading them into apostasy as they corrupt the gospel to gain wealth. Greed, which leads to covetousness is idolatry which God hates (Colossians 3:5). The end of Judas should be an example to those who go after filthy lucre.

In other situations, there are times when we use the heart to make decisions – in choosing a life companion; deciding on where to live; what course of study to follow; and so many other situations. In these situations, the heart works as the mind and directs thoughts and intentions. Since the heart serves such an important position in our lives, it must be from the heart that we forgive others, and not from our mouths. Repeating the expression, “I am sorry” with no meaning, will only be a recitation with no impact on the other person.

Furthermore, Jesus emphasized that true forgiveness comes from the heart [the inner man]. He referred to the unforgiving servant and gave an example of true forgiveness stating, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:35).

Consequently, forgiveness comes from a healthy heart which has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The individual with a diseased heart cannot live holy or love others the way he should. The devil occupies and controls what takes place in that heart when it has become sick and hardened. For the heart to be cleansed, only the Holy Spirit has the power and knowledge to do so. It is worth turning one’s life over to Him to have full control, and not for the devil to deceive and destroy in the end.