False Teachers

II Pet. 2:1

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

 

Peter wanted to make perfectly clear what false teacher are, how they operate, and the end result of their actions. Thus knowing all this information the believers could and still can recognize them and resist their teaching.

• secretly bring in destructive heresies
• denying the Master who bought them
• blaspheme the way of Truth
• in their greed exploit believers
• bold and willful without any trembling
• irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed
• blaspheme about matters about which they are ignorant
• enjoy reveling in the daytime
• blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions
• eyes full of adultery
• insatiable for sin
• entice unsteady souls
• trained in greed
• followed the way of Balaam, loving gain from wrongdoing
• waterless springs and mists driven by a storm
• speaking loud boasts of folly
• entice by sensual passions
• promise freedom but they themselves are slaves of corruption

These people do not advertise their position, teaching, or methods, but instead are feasting with believers and claiming to be one of them. Their deceit opens the door for their destructive teachings and immoral actions. Greed, lust, and rebellion are their key words! Many may not even notice what they are doing since deceit by its very nature promises one thing while delivering another. Definitely wolves in sheep's clothing! The warning is clear: Be watchful, Be sober...

 

In case fear still lingers in the hearts of believers, Peter reassures them by saying that God has abundantly shown that He can rescue the righteous from trials while still keeping the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment. [fallen angels, Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot]

What a great promise to cling to when times are rough! The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials... What must I do when I feel threatened? Call out for rescue!

 

Sadly, if any of these false teachers had a knowledge of Jesus and have chosen to go back into these evil ways or have been overcome and entangled by them, the last state has become worse for them than the first. It is better to have never known the way of righteousness than to have known and turned back. God is serious in warning believers to guard their hearts, to know His words, and to resist those who would destroy His words. It is a matter of crucial eternal significance.

 

Father,

Keep me alert and recognizing false teaching. Keep me from handling these matters on my own and falling prey to their deceit.

In Jesus name,

Amen