In 1 Timothy 4, I was recently struck by the phrase “seared conscience.” Paul warns that in the latter times, “some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” He emphasizes that “The Spirit expressly says”—this is a divine warning. He then describes those “having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

A seared conscience comes from repeatedly ignoring the Holy Spirit’s conviction until a person no longer responds to His prompting. This deadens the ability to discern right from wrong.

I considered families drawn into agreement with a prodigal who demands full affirmation of their LGBT identity. If the prodigal’s conscience is seared, could their family’s conscience also become seared? Before this condition comes “deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” If something contradicts God’s Word—something Jesus died to save us from—wouldn’t embracing it sear the conscience?

I’ve seen this happen. A mother, once deeply convicted about her son’s homosexual sin, chose him over biblical truth. At first, she wrestled with it, but over time, her resistance faded until she fully affirmed everything LGBT-related.

This progression is real. It’s rarely discussed, but we must talk about it—because deception leads to a seared conscience, and that has eternal consequences.