1 Timothy 4:1-5

4:1 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.

In the previous passage where Paul is rejoicing in the advancement of the gospel, he seeks here to identify the false teachers/teaching. V.1, the way by which the "spirit expressly says" is not clear. It is possible that this is something Holy Spirit had revealed or made clear Paul personally/prophetically. In saying "later times" Paul is referring to the time after Christ's death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Also it is the ones that grab on and latch themselves to false teachings that fall away. They become deceived and their error is demonic.

"The false teaching and resultant apostasy are no surprise. God said this would happen, so his church should not panic but should carry on in faithfulness." - ESVSB. God in His graciousness tells His church that people who do not follow the true gospel will fall away. There hope is grounded in nothing, so they will wither and perish. So, often believers will get scared when they read this, but it should strengthen and encourage us to fight harder and not give ourselves to false doctrines. Paul is saying it heresy is here, be ready fight and stand guard.

V.2, the minds of those that don't stand guard against the poison of false doctrine, become seared. They become close-minded, their minds become ineffective or desensitized to what is wrong. They believe their own lies, not seeing any need for change.

Vs. 3-5. During that time the false teachers were proclaiming the need for denial of certain things. They regarded certain things as "unholy" and if abstained from these things then you would be holy. Paul responds by saying God created everything and has made it Holy through Him. Everything that God created should be seen as a gift from Him. We have the privilege of eating food "made holy" by God. In Genesis when God was creating the earth..."He saw that it was good." Our hearts should be filled with thankfulness for the blessings we are given through God's amazing creation! We are to delight in God and enjoy Him forever. We can do that in marveling at His creation.

"It does not take much imagination to see that the Creator's act of giving and the believer's act of receiving (and enjoying) the gifts of creation are both part of a conscious communication process meant to strengthen the bond between Father and child. Furthermore, the communication is intimate, for only believers (v. 3) can enter fully into it. There are undoubtedly implications here that go beyond the dinner table to include the Christian's appreciation of the environment in general, but the starting point for developing this kind of understanding is the recognition through prayers of thanksgiving of God's gracious provisions. Neither the true gospel nor the life of salvation in this present age calls for ascetic denial. Rather, they encourage responsible use and enjoyment of God's creation." - BGW Commentary

May our hearts always be thankful and amazed at the works of His hand. What a wonderful reminder creation is of how small and finite we are and of how awesome and infinite God is. We are also His creation and "made in His likeness!" Christ's work on the cross enables us to be made Holy and pursue holiness. That is something we should be thankful for! May we constantly be thanking God for everything He has given us! I always find it hard to believe that times when Christians are gathering together and someone asks what are you thankful for or encourages everyone to sing out a song of thankfulness to the Lord, the room is quiet or just a few responses are given. I am speaking to myself, how can I be silent when that question is asked!? I should easily be able to spend the rest of the evening boasting in all of His blessings!