Peter ends chapter 1 reminding us to listen to the prophets, because they spoke as God gave them inspiration. In this chapter he tells us to be careful of listening to the wrong prophet. Apparently there are some fake prophets out there. Here’s how to spot them:
Just because they aren’t right doesn’t mean they aren’t smart. I think some of them are convinced they are right…they don’t realize how destructive their teaching really is. That doesn’t matter however, if you follow them you will be punished, just like they will be. Okay, so they’re smart, what else? Well, Peter says they are greedy for your money. I didn’t make that up…it’s in verse 3. Peter says they will make up lies to get ahold of your cash. And they will probably be convincing lies, told very well….since they are smart.
Before Peter goes any further he reminds us of a terrible truth. Some of the angels followed a bad guy in heaven who was both smart and greedy. God created a place called “the lake of fire” for them, and anyone else who decides to follow their teaching. It wasn’t created initially for humans, but there will be humans there, because these miserable fallen angels want company.
In verse 10 we are warned not to follow “twisted sexual desire” or to “despise authority”. So if you find a teacher who is advocating same sex marriage, or anything similar…you can draw a conclusion. I think there is a difference between protesting, which is our legal right and “despising” authority. Martin Luther King did it the right way. Peaceful protest is the best way to make your case against perceived injustice. But if you are following a leader who tells you to burn cars, harm the innocent, rob or burn local businesses, or disrespect the elected authorities….you can draw a conclusion.
Vs 12. I don’t profess to understand how the earth was created, but I don’t scoff at what God has said. Instead, I promote it as truth. I don’t understand, and I don’t have to. I believe and my faith informs my speech. Belief in evolution outside of our species has led to many grievous errors, too many to mention here. But they are spoken from behind the pulpit in broad daylight to a desensitized public…who receive it as truth. Do you think that people who reject the idea of God as creator will inherit what God has created?
In verse 13 we learn that false teachers live among us. They sit at the same table (let’s try not to get paranoid here…) and they are “well trained” in greed. They brag about themselves and lure people back into sin.
You would think that anyone would be able to spot them…it seems so obvious. But when people quit reading the Bible for themselves and trust whatever is coming out of the mouth of the speaker, you are prone to be deceived. History has taught us that.
Read, study, pray and compare the message spoken to the message printed (God’s Word). Only in doing this can we insulate ourselves against false teaching.
Preparing,
PR