False Teachers and Their Tactics

In the days between Christ’s first and second coming, there are many false teachers who deceptively try to lead people away from the truth of scripture. We as Christians must be vigilant in discerning truth and calling out the wolves among us.

Looking back at our previous passage we remember that God spoke to men and by His Spirit used them to give us His Word.

His Word is a guide to His people, by which He reveals Himself to us and teaches us everything we need to know for life and godliness.

God’s Word is truth, but if there is actual truth out there, this implies that there are also lies and false teaching about who God is, and this is where we pick up in 2 Peter.

V. 1

(a)But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you,

Peter referencing back to the Old Testament points out that there has always been false teachers.

Anytime God’s truth has been revealed, there have been those used by Satan and controlled by sin trying to lead people away from God.

An example of this is Jeremiah who was consistently warning the people of their coming destruction, but instead of listening to him the people listened to false teachers and persecuted Jeremiah.

Just as there was false teachers then, the church from its founding has had to deal with false teachings.

So what makes someone a false teacher? What do they do?

(b) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them,

They introduce heresy to the church.

What is heresy?

A false teaching that strays away from the essential beliefs of Christianity.

Essential beliefs such as:

grace alone

faith alone

scripture alone

Christ alone

Glory to God alone

The Trinity

The deity of Christ

Other ways they deceive is lying about morality. This is very common in the church today, people are told that they can just have part of Jesus and continue in their sinful ways.

Why do these things matter?

Straying away from these points either leaves us worshiping a different God than the God of the Bible or it leads us hopelessly trying to earn our salvation.

bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Because of their heresy, false teachers are guaranteed destruction in the end, unless they repent, for they are not only deceived, but they are deceiving others.

So the next question is why are they so dangerous? Surely we can tell if we are being misled, right?

V. 2-3a

(a) And many will follow their sensuality,

Many people will follow their teaching.

Either people will be convinced of their false doctrine, or they will follow them because they speak lightly of sin, allowing people to feel religious without ever repenting.

(b) and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

The result either way is a pollution of the image of the church and Christianity.

We see this particularly played out in the downplayed morals.

So many denominations affirming homosexuality, transgenderism, and other sins that the church has become divided and polluted in its public perception.

Or on the more doctrinal side, confusion on how salvation works can lead people to think that Christianity is either just one path to God or strict set of morals to be done to earn God’s favor.

(3b)And in their greed they will exploit you with false words

False teachers are ultimately after one thing, power.

Out of there quest for power they will take advantage of the sheep, and use them to line their pocket books and push their agenda.

And they will use words that we want to hear to do so.

V. 3b

Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Here is the reality, God will not tolerate false teachers. Christ is our shepherd and He promises to defend Hid sheep from wolves.

Judgement will come on those who attack God’s people and live in rebellion against God, and our response to this should be two-fold:

First, it should challenge us to make sure that we are not following the influence of a false teacher.

Second, it should serve as a reminder to us the richness of God’s love for us that He has called us out of the darkness, out of the lies and into a relationship with Him. And if we belong to Christ He promises to not forsake us.

Discussion Questions:

How can we tell if someone is a false teacher? How can we better prepare ourselves to be able to identify false teaching?

Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4, why does Paul say false teachers gain followings?

If know someone who is a false teacher, or who belongs to a false religion, how should we respond to that person?