CONSCIENCE SEARED. 1stTimothy 4:2. A person whose conscience is “seared with a hot iron” is completely insensitive and is not distressed when doing what they know is wrong and deliberately deceptive. God’s doctrine concerns His Son. The doctrines of demons relate to opinions, refraining from eating meat, being unable to marry, and being selective about foods that God has provided from the fullness of the earth He created, claiming it is for spiritual reasons. This is the apostasy that arises through hypocrisy in those who speak lies.
Those who speak under the influence of someone stronger than them know the outcome they desire. They want to defeat the faith of the saints and cause the downfall of others with a hidden interest in spiritual matters. They deceive those who are weak in faith or without faith, and as a result, they cause chaos in a congregation of believers due to a hardened conscience.
Knowing what is right and doing the opposite because they seek a position of leadership and teaching, they promote novices who are easily led. A novice might believe their hypocrisy, even though it stems from a seared conscience. They use biblical terms we recognize when they teach, and their presentation often seems sincere and genuine. When they preach, it's hard to tell how many listeners actually pay attention to the message. Those new to the faith or unlearned, as well as those with a seared conscience, are the ones they aim to deceive.
The path they choose often appears more spiritual or at least more knowledgeable than that of the elders and teachers they know and have mentored over the years. Some with a seared conscience may share extra-biblical information they claim is hidden from others, but they believe they have an insider's knowledge that the older generation lacks. They will display a subtle, or sometimes overt, sense of superiority and arrogance, stemming from a seared conscience. With furrowed brows and downcast eyes that seem to pity the listeners, they appear to possess spiritual secrets others do not. This draws in, like a fish on a line, an honest person whose vulnerability they exploit. A seared conscience leads to confusion, disorder, and division among the people gathered in an assembly of believers.
The Holy Spirit has given us the scriptures of truth that stand in contrast to people's opinions and the doctrines of demons. Abstaining from certain meats and marriage depends on circumstances and calling. People must eat what is available to them where they are living. Marriage is recommended, but in some cases, it may hinder the work of the Lord to which they are called.