False

2 Peter 2:1–3 (NASB 95)

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Examine / Explain

As Peter continues his letter to the church, he warns about false teachers in the church. He connects the false prophets of old and the false teachers he now sees. They buy, sell, and trade in compulsive fiction. Their greed is the driving force, and their target is the church. However, their punishment is at hand. Their destruction is at hand.

How do I apply this to my life?

When I hear preachers and speakers proclaiming the good news, do I automatically believe what they say? Do I bust out my bible right there and compare what they are saying to what the bible says? I don’t do either. I’m somewhere in the middle. Because of my own dedication to following Christ, I have gained knowledge of God’s character. Also, when the Holy Spirit stirs me about the words I’m listening to, I go digging. Also, one of my gifts is discernment. Combining all of these things, I would like to think I could spot a false teacher. And with that, my response would be I won’t listen to them anymore. I can’t say with one hundred percent accuracy, but I don’t know where the bible says to do anything different with a false teacher, for we are to live and proclaim the true gospel. I think this will expose a false teacher and the attractiveness of living like Jesus would cause a stirring in a man’s soul. When Jesus preached and was doing ministry, His life stirred people. The ones who really couldn’t stand Him were the “religious” leaders. Could it have been that they were too legalistic or that they had power and control with their legalism? There was a pride and self-greed that was more in control than relating to God. It could have been because the Law was “legalistic,” but the Law exposed us to needing more out of life. We are deeply flawed and cannot obtain salvation without help. The Law pointed to Jesus and redemption. Abraham was credited for his faith. He may not have understood all of it, but he believed.

What is my response?

Father, do I live my life as a believer? Am I decreasing between the false teaching and the true word of God? We see the world around us and it aligns with Your word. The calling of good evil and evil good. The sensuality and maligned words to fit what we want instead of truly calling You LORD and turning from our wants and desires. Submission to an all-powerful and gracious God is not submission until His will is greater than our own. That submission cost us something. Grace and salvation are free! Sanctification and belief are costly. What am I not giving up, Lord? What in my life do I still call good when it is truly evil? What am I not seeing? Help me. Bring these things up in my life. Let me know where I am wrong, and allow me to change to align with Your word. Amen.