THAT THEY MAY LEARN NOT TO BLASPHEME- 1Tim.1:20

In this age of grace it may seem strange to think of someone being handed over to satan. That they are still breathing yet they have no more possibility for redemption. But, that’s exactly what Paul says in 1Tim.1:20. Speaking of 2 people by name he prays for their destruction by delivering them to Satan.

These are not just people who Paul was angry with. In fact, it wasn’t about that at all. These are 2 who used their worldly influence with others to encourage them to blaspheme God. With the hope of destroying the possibility for these others to come to a saving faith in Jesus.

More than likely these 2 people Paul handed over to Satan for destruction were demon possessed. Willingly and unapologetically. Desiring to serve him and aid in the destruction, or ship wrecking as Paul says, of others coming to faith. And it is for this reason Paul delivered them to Satan for destruction.

It begins by saying no to Jesus over and over again. Until finally a callous develops over their heart that is so thick it becomes what their heart is made of. Making it impossible for them to hear the Holy Spirit anymore. This is the reprobate of Rom.1. And what the full iniquity was made of in the nations Israel utterly destroyed.

It’s why the millstone Jesus spoke of in Mark9:36-42 was tied around the neck of anyone who offends a little child. Destruction must come upon those who make shipwreck of their coming to faith in Jesus.

I have only known one family like this in my 47 years as a believer. They are practicing witches here where I live. And I now have the responsibility of delivering them to Satan. They are fully reprobate and completely and willingly possessed by Satan. Teaching others to blaspheme while playing the role of victim.

I recognized this immediately. But, was not sure just how consumed by Satan they were. After a short time and few experiences that revealed who they really are it has borne itself out exactly as I suspected at the beginning.

In the Old Testament we read about how Israel destroyed utterly the nations around them. But, God never allowed them to until after their “iniquity was full”. This is a reference to the same thing that happened with the 2 people Paul names in 1Tim.1:20. And what has become of the people I have recently delivered to Satan now.

How do we know that when Paul delivered them unto Satan it was for their destruction? It doesn’t actually use those words in the passage. It’s because of what Jesus told us in John10:10. That the thief which is Satan comes not but for to steal, kill, and destroy.

Another example of this in the Bible is when Paul writes in Rom.1 about God giving people over to a reprobate mind. Doing so because their iniquity has come to the full. And when this happens there is no more redemption for them. But, only the need for swift destruction to take away their pernicious and damnable influence in the lives of others.

So it’s not just that these people are evil. We see that all over the world. Especially in places in the Islamic countries where believers are being murdered for their faith. As well as places all over the world where sodomite practice is accepted and well established.

The kind of evil we are talking about here is one that enables and encourages making shipwreck of the possibility for someone to come to faith in Jesus. Using lies and fables and vain jangling as Paul says to distract and confuse. So the truth can’t be known to be believed. And God is ultimately blasphemed.

It is purposeful. Using phrases like “I don’t talk about my religion. I live it.” All the while reveling in the world’s way of drunkenness and debauchery. Being a friend of the world. Causing an offense that drives those under their influence away from the truth and into Satan’s arms. Like the strong delusion Paul speaks of in 2Thes.2. It comes not to wake someone from their misplaced beliefs. But, to damn them for eternity.

Now I know this seems like a departure from the gracious gospel. But, it really is not at all. Because it is love and God’s grace that causes the destruction to come upon them. Not for them to be ultimately saved like it was for the man in 1Cor.5:1-5 who was having sex with his father’s wife. Who later repented. But, for those who are being affected by them being made shipwreck through their demonically inspired blaspheming.

The man having sex with his father’s wife had not reached the point of no return of full iniquity that people like Hymenaeus and Alexander. And James, Nicole, and Todd Whitescarver have. His was borne out of the fact that his mind had not yet been renewed from his old way of thinking.

And his iniquity was not yet full. Because through the Godly sorrow of having been excommunicated from the fellowship he repented as Paul writes in 2Cor.2:6-8. And was forgiven and accepted back into the fellowship. Something these I have named here have not the slightest inkling or desire to do. Proof that for them their iniquity has come to the full.

So it’s for them like the old saying that asks, why are horse thieves hung? Not only to punish them for stealing. But, that horses might not be stolen. It is in this vein that Paul says he delivered these 2 to Satan. Not only as punishment. But, so that they’re getting away with blasphemy would not cause others to blaspheme.

We also see this in the events that took place with Ananias and Saphira in the book of Acts. These lied to the Holy Spirit. And because God didn’t want this behavior to replicate itself. They were both struck dead immediately.

And as we near the end of this dispensation we see Pau’s words being borne out more and more. Seeing what was once very rare becoming more common. Because of the fullness of iniquity in men that was once only seen in Old Covenant times.

Which is why Israel fought against and utterly destroyed those nations whose iniquity had come to the full. Paul’s words in 1Tim.4:1,2 saying, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron”.

It is these people that blaspheme and cause others to do so. Because they willingly participate with demons to try to wipe out any possibility for others to hear the gospel and believe.

God’s love and grace reproves, corrects, and instructs the believer as we saw in last week’s message. As 2Tim.3:16 shows us. But, the unbeliever has nothing like this. So as we have seen here God’s love and grace also delivers to Satan those who offend one of these little ones that would make ship wreck of their opportunity to come to a saving faith in Jesus.

Now also as I said last week a person can choose to be offended. Or they can choose to humble themselves before God. In humility turning to Jesus to be saved. First by confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus. And then by believing in the heart that He has raised from the dead.

And while I used to think that as long as someone was breathing there was still a chance for them to come to faith in Jesus. I no longer do. Because Paul shows us here that it is too late for those given over to a reprobate mind. Because these are they who Paul named in 1Tim.1:19,20 and Rom.1:32 who teach others to blaspheme. They not only do the same. But, they teach others too also. And take pleasure in them that do this with them.

But, if you are not that person, and you still hear God calling you, it is not too late for you. So please, trust in Jesus today by confessing Him as Lord and believing His resurrection. Don’t wait too long so that your heart becomes the callous developed by rejecting to come to a saving faith in Jesus over and over again.

Trust in Jesus and His resurrection. Do this and you will be born again. Which means that a spirit will be created in you that you never had before that makes you God’s child and therefore heir to His kingdom. Do this and you will have an immortal body at the resurrection. Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!