4:3
Now what are these “demonic doctrines” teaching? We might imagine that they are promoting the slaughter of babies, or gross sexual practices, but no. They are forbidding people from marrying and ordering them to abstain from certain foods! Is this really inspired by demons? Yes, for it is directly against God’s purposes, against the good for which He created them. Back in the Garden of Eden Satan said “did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” (Gen 3:1). Now God had said no such thing, He had only said you must not eat from the one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, apart from that they could eat from any tree (Gen 2:16,17). Satan often works by twisting what God says. Likewise, the Sabbath was a good rule, given for man’s benefit. The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law had completely lost the plot and turned it into an ordeal to be endured. This is how Satan works.
4:4,5
The truth is that all that God has created is good, and He created it to be enjoyed by those who believe. This does not mean that no one else can enjoy it, but knowing God will enhance our enjoyment of His good gifts. By the way, prosperity gospel teaching is rightly criticised, but if we go to the other extreme we are just as wrong, just as likely to be listening to “devils’ doctrines”. Good things were created for our enjoyment. Moreover, it is consecrated by the word of God! Marriage is consecrated by the Word of God. Jesus spoke in favour of marriage. These devil's doctrines can have a superficial appearance of piety, but they will always lead to trouble. Forbidding marriage will lead to more sexual sin, not less!
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