While Peter’s first letter is about the trials to come to the church from external sources through persecution, the second letter is about the false teachers attacking it from within. He acknowledged they were already at work within the church, even ignoring what they knew through spiritual gifts. And he warned that they would keep coming (2 Peter 2:1-3)
The Guilt of False Teachers
Peter’s words ring true even today. There are those false teachers that would bring discredit to the word even in their lifestyle. He speaks of:
- Heresies (2 Peter 2:1)
- Sensuality (2 Peter 2:2)
- Covetousness (2 Peter 2:3)
- Defiling lust (2 Peter 2:10)
- Ignorant blasphemers (2 Peter 2:12)
- Adulterers (2 Peter 2:14)
- Slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19)
It is a very difficult task to teach against sins to the world when they world can point back to the church’s own sins they are overlooking.
New Testament Warnings of False Teachers
Peter wasn’t alone in his warnings either. There is much to be said in the New Testament about those false teachers that want to trick you out of your salvation:
False teachers can make things look fine outside when the destruction is inside
- Jesus warns of wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15)
- Jesus warns of those that would lead us astray (Matthew 24:11)
- Paul warns of grievous wolves (Acts 20:29-30)
- Paul said it would be of huge magnitude and evil nature (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
- Paul warned of leadership using their influence to influence false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1-3 2 Timothy 3:1-9)
- Jude warned of the trend of apostasy already arising (Jude 4-9)
As we can see, there really is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We are to just keep trying to save those that will listen and teach whenever we can. If God can save just Noah from the great flood and if he can save Lot from the destruction of entire cities, then he will be able to save the last of his faithful servants at the end.
Daily Bible reading for August 28
Psalm 26
1 Samuel 15
Habakkuk 1:1-11
2 Peter 2
August 28, 2013
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