False Promises from False Teachers

The desire of the human heart is for soul refreshment. We join King David in his appeal.

O God, you are my God; I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63.1)

False teachers, whether in education, media, politics, or religion, fail to provide what is needed.

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the deepest darkness has been reserved.

For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with debased desires of the flesh they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error (2 Peter 2.17-18).

Since they have quenched the Spirit in their own lives, they are unable to give life-giving direction to their listeners.

They may promise life-giving advice and commentary, but like a fleeting cloud, they are empty of actual benefit.

We do well to compare the kind of speech that is prevalent in today’s society with Peter’s criticism, “bombastic nonsense.”

New Christians and naive people are most susceptible to the “bombastic nonsense” of deceptive teachers. These teachers are not content to rely on false beliefs, they also infect the unsuspecting.

False Promises

From the very first temptation until the latest temptation today, the devil puts in the minds of humans the idea that God is keeping something from humans.

Psalm 2 captures this thought with the belief that if we can only get free from God’s control our lives will be better.

The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast their cords from us.” (Psalm 2.2-3)

False teachers capture their followers with a message of false freedom.

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, for people are slaves to whatever masters them (2 Peter 2.19).

It is easy to be seduced by a message that promises freedom from discipline, duty, and difficulties.

Following Jesus involves all three of those hard behaviors.

Dallas Willard is right. He said that the cost of discipleship is high. Willard is also right when he teaches that the cost of non-discipleship is even higher.

Peter would agree with Willard. False teachers promise false freedom that is in actuality slavery.

One of my friends who is a recovering addict once said, “I thought I was going to a party, but I ended up in hell.”

Peter would agree with my friend’s statement.

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first (2 Peter 2.20).

Apostasy

Apostasy is not a word that is used in everyday conversation. The person who has walked up to the truth examined it, and turned away from it to falsehood has committed apostasy.

Peter has very strong words for people who know the truth but teach falsehood instead.

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was handed on to them.

It has happened to them according to the true proverb,

“The dog turns back to its own vomit,”
and,
“The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.” (2 Peter 2.21-22)

I doubt if any of my readers are guilty of apostasy. However, we need to be careful that we don’t pay attention to people who are.

Let’s be very wise consumers of opinions and information. Prayerful, Holy Spirit-informed and Bible-based listening will serve us well.

YouTube Video

Rudy Ross and I continue a study on 2 Peter on YouTube today. It can be found on the Bob Spradling channel.