2 Peter 2:13b-16

Spots and Blemishes

They are spots and blemishes, the very things that render an animal unworthy of sacrifice -> the are the direct opposite of holiness

They are described as stains and faults on this world -> a pretty strong description with strong language!

They delight in their own deceptions -> they are proud of what they do, and that can be convincing (Eph. 4:17-24)

They commit spiritual atrocities with confidence and joy -> they do so with a smile on their face

Not all evil looks evil!

They do this as they socialize with us, “evangelizing” their condemnable heresies as casually as you’d discuss the weather!

Their eyes never stop looking for sin -> their love of sin is insatiable, living in direct contradiction to Mat. 5:6

They are controlled by their flesh instead of in control of it -> the opposite of what any teacher must be (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

They seduce unstable people -> a condition of faith, not necessarily what the world would call “unstable”

This stresses the need for personal growth in your faith (Jer. 17:7-8)

This helps us really understand what James was saying in James 1:6-8

Their hearts are trained in greed -> this is an interesting way of putting it

Their hearts are trained in greed because they only pursue and act upon their greed continually -> grows moral callouses

They are children under a curse! -> not just any curse, but the eternal curse of God’s wrath

They have abandoned the straight path, choosing the path of Balaam

Balaam loved the wages of wickedness -> in the short term that is, as the ultimate payment is death

He was on his way to try to destroy God’s people for worldly gain -> sound familiar?

He was rebuked in humiliating fashion, as a donkey had more sense and moral integrity than he did!

This is a continuation of a very unflattering description of false teachers that really tear down any value one may see in them

They are worthless people with a worthless message -> it is with this strong of language we must use when speaking of them