Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
When Paul had made his last stop in Ephesus, he addressed this issue which would be seen over and over in the church, sometimes with greater intensity: a demon-driven deception that led people to depart from the church. Two particular areas of deception had to do with two good things: food and marriage. These are good things, great things God has made, which this deception will call into doubt. It is an extremist position. Overeating and overemphasis on sexuality are the other extremes. God calls for balance in both. Underlying the attractiveness of such deception are a spirit of self-righteousness and discontent. Those who promote such ideas actually think they are better than those who accept God's good gifts and the Gospel of Christ. They also are not thankful; they are ungrateful, just like those in Romans 1, so they give their minds over to these deceiving thoughts. Once again, we find ourselves in an age of discontent, deception, and self-righteousness, which is directly opposed to the Gospel, marriage, and every good thing God has given, and willing to accept evil, immorality, and a manmade gospel as good.
Paul points Timothy, and us, back to the truths of the word of God, and thankful prayer, as the way to avoid such delusion and deception, and in the remainder of the letter focuses on what is truly good. The way of Christ is a dependence on His righteousness, and contentment and gratitude for all He has given.
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