THE WICKED

Chapter two deals with the dangers of both false teachers and apostates.

From ancient Israel, the New Testament church, and even today the people of God have always had those among us who have eared from the faith.

Peters writing in this second chapter is a warning to the believers, that we should be aware of false doctrine.

It is also a warning to those would preach or teach contrary to the Word of God and reveals to them the judgement that will come if they do not repent.

Today, the so called woke movement is infiltrating the church and has brought with it a mindset that causes us to be more concerned with offending people than with offending the truth.

An example of this can be found in Wheaton college who this week decided to remove a plaque honoring missionaries that had given their lives for the Gospel. One such missionary being Jim Elliot. The plaque was deemed offensive because it refereed to the tribe, that speared him along with 4 other missionaries, as savages.

I. The Premise of the False Prophets.

What is the biblical definition of a false prophet. I ask this because in our cancel culture is is imperative that we are simply labeling someone a false prophet for having a differing opinion on a minor issue.

It is easy to claim someone to be a false prophet and have the average listener believe the narrative, even if it is unfounded.

1. The doctrine of the false prophet.

Peter lays out the formula for determining the difference in a false prophet from someone with a differing opinion.

Heresy is defined as a separation from orthodox christian doctrine.

Some of the major Bible doctrines are; Sufficiency and inspiration of the Word of God, the trinity, salvation by faith in Jesus, apart from works, the return of Christ or rapture, and the fact of life after death. Peter lays out the formula for determining the difference in a false prophet from someone with a differing opinion.

Heresy is defined as a separation from orthodox christian doctrine.

Some of the major Bible doctrines are; Sufficiency and inspiration of the Word of God, the trinity, salvation by faith in Jesus, apart from works, the return of Christ or rapture, and the fact of life after death.

Peter tells us that they would even deny the Lord. When the Word of God is denied the next logical step is to deny the God of the Word.

Let us make no mistake these teaching are not simply errors but they are the spirit of the anti-christ that is being used to hinder the gospel and bring reproach on God’s people.

2. The deception of the false prophet.

The deception is two-fold. First, there is the method, and second there is the motive.

A. The method.

The method of the false prophet is the same as the anti-christ. From the very beginning in the garden, the plan was to take the truth and then twist it just enough that the truth is changed but it is still appealing.

Satan usually moves slowly and methodically knowing that a fast change would not be accepted. It is the the slow erosion of our society through the deterioration of morals and core beliefs that transforms the minds.

The word covetousness means through greed or by means of exploitation. It literally means to engage in a business transaction.

To many pastors and churches are in interested in the church becoming a business instead of the church promoting the gospel and discipleship.

It is also an interesting choice of words when Peter said “feigned words”.

The made up words or teachings to deceive the believers. Name;y they taught against the Lordship of Jesus, and they denied the return of Christ.

B. The Motivation

The motivation of the false prophet is again the same as Satan (the great deceiver), to detract the christian from the great commission and to prevent the light from shining on the heart darkened by sin.

As a follower of Christ, I can not accept a slow change because the truths that i hold are unmovable. Thus satan slowly chips away at the church and our only defences are God and His Word.

However, God and His Word are more than enough to keep us from the erring in faith and doctrine. The issue is not and never has been the sufficiency of the Word of God but rather the application of the Word of God.

I would ask you today, what is it that is shaping your view of the Bible, Morals, and lifestyle?

If it is anything other than what is based upon the Word of God I call upon you to repent?

II. The Punishment for the False Prophet.

God is able and has already promised to bring to judgment everyone who rejects Him.

Verse 4-9 shows God’s faithfulness to His promise and that He does not show respect for the sinner. He has and will punish all who stand against Him.

In verse 9 we see the heart and desire of God. 1. That He will make away of deliverance for His followers and 2. That He will punish all who refuse to do so.

1. The deliverance from temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Temptations are something that each of us will face on a daily basis.

Temptation to sin, temptation to walk after the desires of the flesh, Temptation to avoid study of Bible teachings and to allow someone else to do the tough work.

We are tempted in many aspects and often the temptation os so subtle that we fail to even recognize the temptation or our acceptance of it.

However, God in His grace always allows an opportunity for repentance before judgement.

He sent His messengers to Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, He sent Jonah to Nineveh, He sent Noah before the flood, and He sent His only son Jesus.

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Bible says that God will make a way to escape temptation. This method is through His Word and can come in many forms.

It can be found through the spoken Word of God, the written Word of God, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, that speaks and works in the heart of those who will listen.

2 Timothy 4:17–18 KJV 1900

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2. The destruction.

The judgement of the lord should come as no surprise. Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death.

The judgment of God is not evil but good.

Without the judgement of God the grace of God would be of no merit.

Just as a judge is right to sentence a guilty party. So God is righteous in His judgment against those who reject Him.

Reason would tell us that without the punishment of wrong then the un-merited favor of the Lord would be useless.

We see that the unjust were reserved for the day of judgement, although in this text it appears as if the false prophet at present were prosperous.

The judgments of God will come at His appointed time, at the judgement seat. However, this does not mean that Go may not bring judgement in this life. There are multiple cases in the Bible were God brought punishment upon HIs enemies while they yet lived.

God has all authority and may do whatever He pleases and sees fit, according to and in His time.

III. The Protege of the False Prophet.

The protege is the person who would follow after or adopt the same set of morals or ethics and thought process.

The Bible warns us that in the last days there will be a great falling away.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–3 KJV 1900

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Who are you a disciple of? You are a disciple of what you allow to influence your life.

You may come to church, proclaim to be a Christian, and even participate in religious activities and still fail to be a disciple of Christ.

Peter says that there were those in the church who claimed to be followers of God yet lived lives that were against God’s Word.

Followers of the lust of the flesh, presumptuous, selfwilled, and not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries. v.10

The president this week stumbled on the stairs going to air force 1. Instead of concern I see many self-proclaimed Christians making fun and trashing him.

The Bible says that this is a spirit contrary to God and even says the angels wouldn’t dare do this.

David wouldn’t even lay a hand upon Saul even though he was attempting to kill David.

1 Samuel 24:1–6 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

1. The frivolity of the protege.

Peter says that those who would do such things are Brute beast. This means they are like irrational animals or creatures of instinct.

They behaved themselves without sound mind.

When God’s children turn from Him they will almost always act without sound mind. Some of the most wicked people I have witnessed are individuals who have claimed to be a child of God and then turned away from Him.

2 Peter 2:21 KJV 1900

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

This verse is sometimes used by people to justify that a believer may lose their salvation. However, what Peter is saying is for the child of God to deny the Savior after an encounter with Christ will face greater condemnation from God than the unbeliever.

As a child of God I’m held to a higher standard because I have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me.

2. The filth of the protege.

2 Peter 2:22 KJV 1900

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Both the dog and the swine were considered to be unclean animals.

For Peter to use these two creatures as an example was strong language to show the depths of the curse of sin.

The dog would turn again to smell the stench is symbolic of the pleasure of sin.

We know sin will defy, yet when a child of God is turned from the creator the stench of sin can once again become appealing.

The difference should be that the Holy Spirit that dwells within should act as a counter to repel sin in our lives.

If a child of God ever strays so far from God that sin is has lost is repulsiveness then either the person has completely hindered the work of the Spirit in their heart or they have never had a relationship with God but rather a religious experience.

Second we see that there is a reference to a pig and mire.

This signifies what sin does to our lives.

This can also signify that there was a cleansing of the outside but not a change of nature.

I close with this question. Do you know Jesus? Has there been a change in your nature? Does the filth and stench of sin repulse you or attract you?

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.