The Bible speaks of something that takes place at the end of the age. Our generation happens to be the one assigned to watch it unfold. False teachers are leading people away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ toward an egocentric theology that feeds man's desire to play a part in his own salvation.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
Many of today's churches are presided over by self-described 'messengers' of God. Being lauded for that 'pseudo-religious' authority is what sears their conscience.
Those who idolize them ... end up being like them. They have that same spiritual 'scar tissue' that dulls any sense of right and wrong.
Spurgeon - If you can sin and not weep over it, you are an heir of Hell. If you can go into sin, and afterwards feel satisfied to have done so, you are on the road to destruction. If there are no prickings of conscience, no inward torments, no bleeding wounds; if you have no throbs and heavings of a bosom that cannot rest; if your soul never feels filled with wormwood and gall when you know you have done evil, you are no child of God.
A false prophet's power to deceive comes from Satan.
Therefore, Scripture warns... Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
The opposite of a 'seared' conscience is a 'good' conscience:
We are to seek out those who humbly ... love from a pure heart and a 'good conscience' and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)
They ... fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a 'good conscience'. (1 Timothy 1:18-19)
Not only should you see these things in those who serve the Lord ... they are also evidence of your own personal relationship with God.
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