Guardians of Truth

2 Peter 2.

In this chapter, Peter warns of the subtle workings of false teachers...

False Prophets of old and False teachers, today share several character traits.

1- They do not speak out of Divine Authority

2- The message is always about ‘Good News”, promises of peace and security

And because of the first two traits, they earn the last trait.

3- They Show themselves to be worthy of scorn and condemnation.

They also tend to soft shoe and thoughts of a coming judgement.

The danger of false teachings is the very same of bearing false witness in a court of law.

Serious consequences come from lying in court.

How much more serious can it be to utter a “Thus sayeth the Lord” declaration-

When, in fact, God has said no such thing.

The focus of this chapter is for believers, then and now, to recognize sound doctrine and to exercise Holy Spirit guided Discernment in growing our faith.

We must be ready to defend what we believe in at every turn and hold fast to what is the Truth of the Gospel...

To begin we need to tie in the last of part of chapter 1.

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

So tuck that thought in your shirt pocket and hold on to it.

1- Secret Schemes and Bad Motives

2 Peter 2:1–3 ESV

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Peter identifies the false prophets of the OT, “arose among the people”

We have;

Jeremiah 14:14 ESV

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

Isaiah 30:9–11 ESV

For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”

And dont think that was only happening in the 1st century,

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Peter is clear about the tactics used by these false teachers.

Secretly

Will come from within the church

Subtly introducing deception to cause doubt.

Introduce complicated scheme’s of works based actions to see results.

Some examples we have today include:

NAR- Kingdom Now theology

7 Mountain mandate to establish a Christian Theocracy in America

Rooted and based in Marxism/Socialism

Bethel Redding CA- Kenosis theology ( Little gods theory)

With connections to Eastern Mysticism (Channeling, Crystals etc)

Prosperity gospel of K Copeland, J Osteen (Your Best Life Now) and just about everyone that appears on TBN/Daystar programs

Modalism- Limiting the Deity of the Triune Godhead.

Steven Furtick- Elevation Church, Charlotte NC

TD Jakes Potters House, Dallas TX.

Now thats a mouthful, to be sure.

If anyone would like an expanded view on any of those listed- See me later.

Paul advises Titus about these types:

Titus 1:10–11 ESV

For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

Although I would view that list as a Rogue’s Gallery of bad theology, what is key for us today is this:

Understanding that not everything that is branded as “Christian Teachings” is true to Scripture is one thing.

Ensuring that we stay faithful and grounded in the Truth is essential.

It is vital for each of us, as Followers of Christ, to maintain a constant vigilance of what teachings we are allowing into our hearts and minds.

Only by staying faith to the Gospel of Jesus Christ can we be able to recognize and reject anything and everything that deviates from the Gospel message.

One of the reasons these types of teachings are more pervasive than ever:

1- Technology gives anyone with a computer and a microphone an international platform.

2- We have, for several generations now, taught our children to question everything- Especially the idea of absolute truth.

And this tactic of Satan is as old as the Garden of Eden. (Did God really say...)

2- The Promise of Divine Judgement

2 Peter 2:4–10 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,