Apostasy:  Turning or falling away from true gospel teachings as individuals or as a people.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first...2 Thessalonians 3:3

Apostasy  refers to renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to one's former religion. It is generally not a self-definition: very few former believers call themselves apostates and they generally consider this term to be a derogatory, or belittling word. One of the possible reasons for apostasy is loss of faith, another is the alleged failure of religious institutions to properly disciple those who come to them.  Another reason is found in Matthew 24:11-12.

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  Matthew 24:11-12

We should know the Bible well enough to not be deceived by false teaching but, sadly, many Christians have been taught to know God only by what they hear from others.  This definitely puts our spiritual discernment on hold because we will believe anything we hear.  Everything we hear should be confirmed to us by the word of God and the Holy Spirit's witness in our hearts.   Apostasy is turning away from true gospel teachings.  If we know the truth, it will make us free.  Know your Bible and your God well enough to recognize wrong teaching when you hear it and you will not have to worry about apostasy.

You can't go a day without hearing about the evil that seems to be prospering in the United States.  It could really be scary if the news is all you ever hear.  If you forget about how wonderfully powerful our God is, you will find yourself growing cold in your love walk.  We need to be so in love with our Father that it keeps a fire under us all the time.  You can't grow cold if you are fired up over Jesus. 

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:23-24

Hang on to what you  believe in and have been assured of by the Holy Spirit.  Submit yourself to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you.   One of the major ways we keep the faith is by godly fellowship with other believers.  You cannot fulfill the commandment Jesus gave to love others if you refuse to fellowship with them.  It doesn't matter how many times you were hurt, you have to work out your differences and continue in fellowship with the rest of God's family.   We need each other.  If one of us starts to drift away, the others are there to pray and encourage.  Apostasy sneaks in and snatches our faith when we are alone, in much the same way that a wolf sneaks in to snatch the little lamb who won't stay with the others. 

We are about to experience some very trying times in our world.  It is vitally important that we stay close to Jesus, close to other Christians and daily spend time in reading the word and prayer.  Apostasy is not a good thing.  It creeps in a little at a time until it finally has a deep enough hold on our lives to turn us away from the truth we once knew.  It is deception and a person who is deceived does not know they are deceived because they are deceived.  

My heart's desire for the people of God is that they would have an intimate relationship with the Lord.  In the our final days on earth we are going to see many well known Christians fall away from the simple truth of the Bible.  Don't let your heart be shaken when those you loved and trusted turn out to be mere humans.  Let your faith and all your desire be toward God and God only.  Then you will not be tempted to fall because of others do.