Slaves of Corruption

On trips to Africa I have visited villages with trash and filth that overwhelm ones sense of smell

On medical calls as a firefighter medic I have responded to residences that required one to shower and dispose of clothing

I have also walked down places like Las Vegas, New Orleans, and other places like these where the...

Presence and celebration of sinful lifestyles surrounds you

Each of these things in their own way placed a burden on my heart, a heaviness on the soul,

Leaving one feeling dirty

As I read and re-read the passage for today… I felt a similar feeling!

The second chapter of 2 Peter is one of, if not THE most graphic in its description of the corruption that occurs in the life of one who follows a path of sin and false teaching.

This chapter ends talking about dogs eating vomit and pigs rolling in their own mire!

Chapter two must be read and considered in the context of all Peter is writing…

He opens up right away expressing the importance of growing in their knowledge and the need for reminders

He emphasizes the TRUTH of God’s Word…

God’s Word being true there are those who seek to defile it, to teach contrary, to distort it.

They are slick, using the same vocabulary with a different dictionary

God’s Word being true does not mince words! God uses Peter to state it as it is!

We today will see the depravity of the false teachers and their message

Once we grasp the awfulness of the sin in this world will we truly appreciate the message of hope we have in the return of Jesus Christ in chapter 3

As I looked at the DESCRIPTION of these false teachers, the TECHNIQUES which they use, and the END they face and those who follow them… I had a heavy heart for the people God had entrusted me to shepherd and care for.

I put myself in Peter’s sandals… I realized as a pastor all the more Peter’s message...

Church it is your responsibility to grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ… it is my responsibility to teach you and remind you of this importance!

Peter begins his letter verse 3 stressing this… “spiritual maturity is the best remedy for false teachers and heretics”!!!

I had to come to a place this week where I remembered this amazing God we serve and hold onto 2 Peter 2:9

2 Peter 2:9 NASB95

then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,

God can and will rescue the righteous! Read with me now as we look at what God states about false teachers and their message in these verses… consider this graphic description given 2 Peter 2:10-22

2 Peter 2:10–22 NASB95

and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”

False Teachers Vividly Described

Might I remind you… These are IN THE CHURCH! Among them, cleverly disguised, this is not talking about the false teaching of the world but those coming into the church body!

Look at the pride and arrogance of these individuals...

They speak down and condemn these fallen angels!!!

They have no power or authority to do so, even the angels being more powerful, do not do this!

Angels leave this judgment in its place… before God

God compares these people to wild animals… to be caught and destroyed

Instinct… I spoke with an individual this week that believes that man is not born a sinner

He said we are born with instincts and desires for self preservation, but not sin.

What an apt definition of being born into sin! Peter chapter 2 agrees fully… sin at its peak causes one to act no better than a wild animal.

What a sad picture, how awful sin is lived out in humanity, yet we seek it!

They scoff at things they don’t understand… they revile the things of God! vs13

They take a message like GRACE and stain it, calling sin okay

Romans 13:13

Romans 13:13 NASB95

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

They behave as in the night as in the day! Romans 6:1

Romans 6:1 NASB95

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?

Let sin increase! is what they say, do and teach! Look how wonderful God’s Grace is… sounds good… no consequences, no guilt…

They entice the followers of Christ with the desires of this life… They seek themselves only (like an animal)

Trained in GREED!!! the master this skill!

Compared in their madness to that of Balaam… the false prophet in Numbers 22, 23, 24 ...

Uses a gift to intentionally lead Israel away from God

Balaam was not ignorant of God’s truth and will but deliberately went against God for self gain

So intent was he that even when God told him no he insisted on doing his own will

God used a donkey to get his attention, a donkey listens better than a man intent on sin!

Rather Balaam told the evil king Balak how to defeat Israel… be friendly, join close to them and raw them into their orgies and pagan worship appealing to their lust!

Technique & Seduction of False Teachers

Satan still uses this strategy for the church today...

They talk a good talk but it is empty...

springs with no water / a mirage

mist in the wind / offer refreshment but nothing comes

God says there is a dark darkness reserved for them!

Arrogant Words of Vanity… gifted in what they say, it sounds so good.

Entice… they know what people want, desire, and crave. the things of the flesh!

Sensuality, they have no problem appealing even to the sexual desires from within!

Empty promises… FREEDOM!? One who is clasped in shackles and irons is claiming to bring freedom?

the very thing they offer will be what overtakes them

Live corruptly its okay… look I am and I am enjoying life they say! They are a slave to the very thing they say brings freedom.

Death awaits them and they are taking people with them!

Their End Destruction

Verses 20-22 have been used to speak of one loosing salvation… but notice never does Peter state these false teachers ever had salvation, rather the opposite Verse 2:1 “denying the Master who bought them”

these temporarily escape the defilements of this world… how by the knowledge…THEY KNOW GOD’S WORD!

Many know God’s Word better than some here!

They seek the knowledge they have to gain for themselves...

Verse 21 is difficult… let me share several things on this...

There are various degrees of punishment in hell

ALL who do not place their faith in the finished work of Christ will go to hell

Some will face a greater degree of punishment

It is harder for them to believe after this point...

one who is steeped in bad habits has a harder time correcting their ways

Example of the chain saw

One who does not know is easier to teach

They are what they want to be / church we need to see them for what they are:

Dogs… even well trained will vomit and then go and eat it!

Pigs… regardless of how well you clean them up will seek out the mire to roll in it!

It is their instinct and nature.

There is HOPE...

2 Peter 3:1-2

2 Peter 3:1–2 NASB95

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

God has given us His Word that He will return...

Seeing the depth of filth and mire that sin can lead a person into… all the more we want Jesus Christ to return! Peter is going to REMIND his readers of this blessed hope we have and even though we may see corruption all around us we have this HOPE!