FALSE TEACHERS

FALSE TEACHERS

It would have been better for them (false teachers) 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,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” —II Peter 2:21-22

A dog is a dog is a dog and dogs do dog things, disgusting things like eating their own vomit. That is so gross! A sow is a sow is a sow and sows do sow things, dirty things like wallowing in the mud. You can get a pig squeaky clean, but let it see mud and that cleanliness goes right out the window.

You cannot change the character of a dog or a pig. That is just what they are. God tells us that false teachers are like that. Their ungodly character has not changed. They cannot change their character any more than a dog or pig because that is what they are— ungodly false teachers.

The sad thing that is mention in this context is that they once knew the way of truth, but they decided “to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” These false teachers are against God and against His people. False teachers “secretly introduce destructive heresies.” They may even deny “the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” Then “Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” They are “greedy” and “will exploit you with fabricated stories.” They “follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.” They are “Bold and arrogant.” We are also told that false teachers “are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.” These are people that can’t be reasoned with. You can point them to what God says in His Word, but they do not pay attention to it because they have their own agenda. These false teachers do “harm.” They have “eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!” False teachers “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.” (II Peter 2:1-3, 10, 12-14, 18-19). Beware of these type people. The Apostle Paul said, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). These false teachers want people to follow them, not Jesus. We who love the Lord desire others to love the Lord and live for Him. We want people to follow Him and to follow those who are following Him. May we do so!

Jesus said, “for whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40) and that “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23). “Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14). It is not about sides… it is about obeying the Lord. We are not trying to get God to do our will, but we need to line up with His will. Again, Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Are you and I with Him? Are we gathering with Him? May it be so!

Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Word— the blue print for life, the love letter from You, and those things You have chosen to revealed to us. Oh, that we would be obedient to Your Word and be aware of those who would twist it just like Satan did with Eve. May we be wise in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obi5ZGujiuU