The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Peter 2:17-22,
"These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for 'people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.' If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' [Proverbs 26:11] and, 'A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.'"
These horrific words are Peter's observations about "false teachers." What a terrible future awaits them!
We learn from Peter that "there will be false teachers among you." 2 Peter 2:1. Peter describes them, talks about the damage they do, and, as we see above, what awaits them.
It is apparent they are all about us today. False teachers that promote doctrines of demons, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3. (Thanks Dave.)
We find false teachers on TV, we find them in the seminary and academia, we find them holding offices in denominations and various religious organizations, we find them behind pulpits and leading Sunday School and Bible classes. They are all about us.
How do we protect ourselves from these false teachers? We can know who they are if we know what God's word has to say. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Does what they teach square with the Scriptures?
"These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for 'people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.' If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' [Proverbs 26:11] and, 'A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.'"
These horrific words are Peter's observations about "false teachers." What a terrible future awaits them!
We learn from Peter that "there will be false teachers among you." 2 Peter 2:1. Peter describes them, talks about the damage they do, and, as we see above, what awaits them.
It is apparent they are all about us today. False teachers that promote doctrines of demons, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3. (Thanks Dave.)
We find false teachers on TV, we find them in the seminary and academia, we find them holding offices in denominations and various religious organizations, we find them behind pulpits and leading Sunday School and Bible classes. They are all about us.
How do we protect ourselves from these false teachers? We can know who they are if we know what God's word has to say. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Does what they teach square with the Scriptures?
When we find someone teaching contrary to the Scriptures, we know they are false teachers. When we encounter them, we need to act accordingly.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment