7 Bible Verses about Apostasy, How To Avoid

as for these impious impostors, they will go on from bad to worse, seducing others, and deluding themselves. But be you attach'd to the doctrine you have learnt, with which you are intrusted, considering by whom you have been instructed: and that from your infancy you were acquainted with the sacred writings, which point you the way to salvation, by believing in Christ Jesus:read more.
for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue; that the minister of God may be perfectly accomplished for every office of religion.

Do you on your part employ all your care in adding to your faith, fortitude: to fortitude, knowledge: to knowledge, temperance: to temperance, patience: to patience, piety: to piety, fraternal affection: and to fraternal affection, universal benevolence.read more.
for if you are possess'd of these virtues and improve therein, they will prevent the knowledge you have of our Lord Jesus Christ from being useless to others, and unprofitable to yourselves. but he that is destitute of them is blind or short-sighted, having forgot he was purified from his past sins. Wherefore be the more diligent, my brethren, to secure your vocation and election by your virtuous actions, for by so doing, you will never relapse: and thus you will have a free admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers. be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. by this you may distinguish the spirit of God: "every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is from God. and every spirit that does not own that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not from God." this is that anti-christian spirit which you have heard was to come, and even now it appears in the world.read more.
ye are of God, my dear children, and you have overcome them: because he that is in you, is superior to him that is in the world. they are of the world: therefore their doctrine is worldly, and the world are their disciples. we are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. by this we distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of imposture.

till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ: that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit: but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head:read more.
from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.

Finally, my brethren, place your strength in the transcendent power of the Lord. put on the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits.read more.
wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground. stand firm, the belt of truth round your waist, let justice invest you like mail: wing your feet with the gospel of peace: cover all with the shield of faith, to repel all the fiery darts of the adversary: let salvation be your helmet, and the divine doctrine your spiritual sword. Pour out your souls unto God upon all occasions, watching in prayer with all perseverance and supplication for all christians: in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full.

to preach the word with assiduity upon all occasions: reprove, censure, exhort, with the most tender persuasions.