LEARNING DAILY

2 Peter2:18-19, They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With lustful desire as they bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. (New Living Translation)

In the second letter Peter wrote to Christians, he was very concerned with false teachers who had infiltrated the young church. The two verses are only of many that describe these false teachers. Read all of chapter two in order to get a much better idea of the characteristics and traits of false teachers that Peter gives; you will notice that he spares no words when describing them. False teachers are still around. Jesus taught in Matthew 24 deception taught by false prophets/false teachers would be great in the last days.

Let me write at the very beginning of the page of the blog for every Believer to be diligent, “to work hard to prove that you are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (New Living Translation). Believers are to pursue and hold on to the promises of God by living them out as they walk the narrow way.

I would guess there are many Believers who would like to be able to indulge in sexual sin, free from any guilt and shame. These same Believers would desire to be free from earthly and eternal consequences that come with choices made. This is the promise, according to Peter, made by false teachers; they teach one can sin without guilt or consequence, while keeping all the benefit of walking with Jesus. They might even say there is no need to confess their sin after accepting Jesus as their Savior.

Look closely at the verse above. False teachers are good with impressive sounding words – spoken and written – but the words are empty, nothing more than foolish boasting. They sound good to those who are new, weak, and unstable in their faith. These are individuals who are trying to escape their way of life before Jesus came into their life. The lies of these false teachers are difficult to resist.

False teachers promise “freedom”, the freedom to do whatever one wants, however one wants, and to be guilt free during and after the sinful behavior. However, this is a lie because “they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption”. Peter is saying false teachers are controlled by their own sinful passions. One who cannot overcome addiction and sinful behavior is controlled by that very thing. True freedom is the ability to say no to yourself, to those temptations that come against Believers as they walk the narrow way.

Is this relevant today? Yes, it is! There are those in churches teaching and preaching Believers can live any way they want without consequences. The word of God is being declared no longer relevant because it is just an old book. There are writings where the author wants to cause arguments over who is right and wrong over their biblical theology (“They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting.”). They are in and out of the church. Be alert. Be a Berean who searches the Word daily to be sure what is read or heard is actually God’s Word.

Let the words written by Peter encourage you today. “Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God in His mighty power, will protect you until you receive your salvation, because you are trusting Him.” Be diligent in seeking Jesus Christ. Stay in His Word. Stay alert because the devil is seeking to kill and destroy all who are walking on the narrow way. But God! He guards each of His Believers by His mighty power!