[Know This] Promises of Deception and Demiseනියැදිය

Warnings of Demise

Peter writes his second letter to those who are grounded in the faith because he wants to warn them of the demise that comes when they follow false teachers. In 2 Peter 2:17–19, he shares several warnings with them:

He says, false teachers “are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (v. 17). Have you seen dark clouds that bring thunder and lightning but deliver no rain? False teachers are like dry wells or clouds without rain. Blackness is reserved for them. We may not see it in our time, but God will judge them.

“For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error” (v. 18). False teachers speak, but there’s no substance to what they’re saying. They lure away believers who have not yet been grounded in their faith.

J.Vernon McGee, who used to do great tent revivals, talked about how many people would show up to hear the gospel and trust in Christ. As new believers walked out of the tent, at times false teachers would stand in wait for them outside, passing out literature about their religion and trying to deviate them from their newfound Savior. False teachers are looking for anybody who’s vulnerable.

“They promise. . . liberty, [but] they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (v. 19). That which you permit to successfully overcome you progressively and completely enslaves you. Do you notice the passive nature of that? If you let something come upon you and overcome you, it will ultimately enslave you. All you have to do is nothing! Don’t pursue Christ. Avoid the epignósis, the knowledge that Peter talks about. “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

False teachers say their teachings will set you free, but their corruption and deceit will enslave you. But Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Seek and listen to the Lord.