A number of “Christian” celebrities have recently renounced their faith and begun to actively question the reality of God. Many are shocked and some are confused. What should we make of all this?

1. This is not new. Judas was fairly well known and respected but he too renounced Christ. This is Satan’s work and just evidence of enemy movements. It really doesn’t matter who the person is. Remember how Judas’ story ends. The fact that a person is well known does not mean he knows the Lord at all. Only God knows the heart, but it is possible for people to be so consumed with the complexity of themselves that they miss the simplicity of Christ. The only star in the gospel is the Lord Jesus Christ; everyone else is just a sinner.
2. This is not unexpected. The Lord predicted that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). A spirit of seduction is at work in our world and this is a time for God’s people to exercise discernment. Don’t be blown away. Your Rock hasn’t moved.
3. This is not the end. It will continue. In fact, at the end of the age we are told that “a great falling away” will precede the tribulation period (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Apostasy will increase and, with it, persecution of true believers.
4. This is not our story. Our story doesn’t finish with apostasy and chaos. Christ is coming! Every word spoken by a fool reminds us of the wisdom of our God. Every lie told by proud men just reinforces the truth of our great God. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). Adrian Rogers used to say, “People ask, ‘What is this world coming to?’ It’s coming to Jesus!” Man has his day. The devil will have his. But the Lord’s day is coming!

This is the time to keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus and point others to Him. Right after promising that evil men and seducers would increase, the Holy Spirit declares, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14). Do not be distracted, discouraged, or disillusioned. Continue.

Let them all say what they want. My testimony is this: “I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).