Avoid False Teachers-2 Peter 2:1-22, 1 John 1:22. Earlier in chapter one of his letter, Peter told his readers of the precious faith they received from God. He said to them that through their union with Christ, they are partakers of the divine power.
He encouraged them to grow in their faith. The word” false”, which qualifies both the prophet and the teacher, is “pseudo.” Pseudo means pretender, spurious, erroneous, and impostor; that which is not valid.
Peter’s Views About False Teachers
The prophets and teachers Peter referred to were propagators of erroneous Christian teachings. There was never a time when the people of God were free of the activities of false teachers. Balaam was a false prophet who would have caused much damage to the Israelites (Numbers 22-24). Moses warned the Israelites against the activities of false teachers (Deuteronomy 13:2-6).
In this session, Peter shifted his attention to the prophets, the false teachers whom the Devil moved. Satan intends to lead believers astray. One significant strategy he employs to accomplish his objectives is deception. He will secretly infiltrate the church and quietly introduce wrong teachings.
False teaching is destructive and must not be tolerated. It is an attack against Jesus and His church. The purpose of false teachings is to mislead God’s people (1 John 2:26).
Moreover, Jesus Christ warned His followers against false teachers and their deceptive activities (Matthew 24:24). It is disturbing to note that false teachers are already in the church. Today’s church must look outside and inside for the false teachers.
Issues of concern about these false teachers
- Who are these false teachers that Peter was speaking about?
- Were they genuine members of the church at the beginning, truly converted, or were they pretenders all through?
- If these false teachers were examined in the light of 2 Peter 2:20-21, can we conclude that they once escaped the world’s corruption and truly know Jesus?
- What is the implication of “even denying the Sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves”(2 Peter 2:1)?
The term “bought”(agorazo), is used about 30 times in the New Testament to mean to buy or purchase something (Matthew 27:7) . The term is employed to describe the redemption of Christians (1 Corinthians 6:20, Revelation 5:9,14:3-4).
If Christ bought them with His blood, it translates to the truth that they belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 7:23). This shows that those false teachers followed Jesus Christ at one time. But now they have wandered from the truth.
They opposed the truth that once set them free and denied Jesus Christ, who is the truth (John 14:6). By so doing, they bring destruction on themselves. When Christians fail to grow in their faith, they can easily stray from the pathway of life.
The Nature of These False Teachers
The nature of their teaching is described as ‘destructive heresies’ (hairese is apoleias). The term denotes an aberrant doctrine that one chooses, which tends to polarise the body of Christ and thus produce a sect that differs from the body of Christ.
False Teachers’ Personalities
Their teaching stands in opposition to the “way of truth.” Divisive activity is considered the work of the flesh, and it was strongly condemned by God (Galatians 5:20). The attributes of the false teachers include:
- False teachers are depraved. They cannot differentiate what is right from what is wrong.
- False teachers’ ungodly activities will attack the reputation of the gospel. They are fabricators of false stories; believers must be watchful.
- False teachers are greedy. Their lust for money will easily betray them.
- False teachers are exploiters; believers must not fall into their schemes.
- False teachers are destined for condemnation and destruction. They must not be followed.
The Consequences of False Teaching -2 Peter 2:4-10
For every act, there is a corresponding reward or consequence. Peter gives three historical examples to justify his position that there is a reward for every work, whether good or bad.
God did not spare the angels when they sinned -2 Peter 2:4:
These angels being spoken of were not identified. Some interpreters think that Peter was referring to the “sons of God” who had sexual relations with “the daughters of men” to produce the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1-7).
However, some think that he was referring to the angels who fell from their place of service to God (Jude 6, Revelation 12:7-12). However, the fact remains that those angels sinned, and God judged them. He sent them to hell, the abode of the wicked, awaiting the final judgment.
He did not spare the ancient world -2 Peter 2:5
The second example that Peter used to justify his position is God’s punishment for the wickedness and corruption of Noah’s day Genesis 6:5-9:18). Everyone was destroyed except Noah and members of his family. Noah’s life proves Christians can live righteous lives in an ungodly society.
The people of Noah’s day were described as “ungodly”, yet Noah stood out; he lived a godly life and was preserved. The holy life of Noah is a motivation for present-day Christians who are being tormented by the ungodly practices in their offices and neighbourhoods. They are to hold on without compromising their faith.
He did not spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Peter 2:6
Peter’s third example is the punishment of God upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sinful activities (Genesis 1:9:1-25). These cities were known for the most horrible sins on earth. All kinds of sexual perversion were being practised in that nation.
It was so bad that they attempted to have a sexual relationship with angels (Genesis 19:1-5). Their sin was terrible, and it explains why their punishment was severe.
Two Essential Things about Sodom and Gomorrah
There are two essential things to note about God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.
Their sin incurred the wrath of God in such a way that nothing was left of the cities. They were burned into ashes.
- God’s punishment on Sodom and Gomorrah was to serve as a deterrent to anyone who may want to adopt ungodliness as a lifestyle. Their punishment was to serve as an “example to the ungodly.” Since God judged the ungodly Sodom and Gomorrah, People who engage in homosexuality, bestiality, pornography, sex for money or marks, sexual perversion in diverse forms, and the use of sex toys should repent to avoid God’s judgment.
- God rescued Lot because he was found to be right with God. He was described as a righteous man who was distressed by the conduct of the people around him. Christians must not be comfortable with the ongoing wickedness in the land, but rather be distressed like Lot.
Noah and Lot
Noah and Lot were righteous in their generations; God is always looking for men and women who will choose to live virtuous lives in their generation, no matter how bad. The way God rescued Noah and Lot, He will save the godly from whatever trial may come their way.
God will preserve righteous people, while those who oppose His Word’s truth will not escape His judgment. God’s judgment awaits everyone who follows after the leading of their sinful nature and rebels against God’s authority.
The Conduct of False Teachers Peter 2:10-19
- False teachers are guilty of sexual sin.
- They lack respect for constituted authority.
Their arrogance is so wild that they have no regard for angelic beings or dignities; they belittle their power and speak disrespectfully of them. Dignitaries are people of exalted rank who should be respected and honoured, but false teachers lack respect for those who deserve it.?
- False teachers are rash, lacking restraint; without hesitating, they dare every man and God.
- They are self-willed, unrepentant and determined to have their way without consideration for the outcome.
In contrast to the recklessness of the false teachers, Peter pointed out that angels who are stronger and more powerful will not slander “celestial beings” when bringing judgment on them from God. The Greek term translated as “celestial beings” is “dozas”, denoting honour, glory and splendour. Whatever the term may refer to, false teachers respect no one.
False teachers speak against everyone. Note that evil people do not hesitate to speak against righteous people, while God’s instruction to the righteous speaks evil of no one.
Peter’s Description of False Teachers
Peter described false teachers as:
Irrational animals -2 Peter 2:12
It is a serious issue to compare false teachers with irrational animals who live by instinct. Humans were created in the image of God and endowed with the capacity to think and reason for informed decisions. False teachers lack the capacity for right thinking; therefore, they are likened to animals.
Like wild animals, false teachers are irrational and fierce, exercising no control over their destructive passions. They follow their natural appetite and passions and are destined for destruction. Since they lack understanding, they are guilty of blasphemy.
They are blots and blemishes -2 Peter 2:13-14
If comparing false teachers with “irrational animals” seems rash, to describe them as “blots and blemishes” is more problematic. Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice for man’s salvation, is a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:19).
Those who accept His offer of salvation and follow Him must be spotless and blameless (2 Peter 3:14). The church that will go with Jesus at His second coming must be without stain or blemish (Ephesians 5:27).
Who Are False Teachers
False teachers are vile people who see nothing wrong with doing their shameful activities in broad daylight. They engage in all forms of immoral and scandalous practices openly (2 Peter 2:13).
These false teachers, while they are in Christian gatherings, look lustfully at women and look for opportunities to seduce them. They look at every woman at Christ’s table as a sex object. They are sexually perverted.
They have an unrestrained passion for lust and are experts in greed (2 Peter 2:14). The church must not tolerate them because they will stain the church, weaken its ministry and ruin its destiny.
False teachers are not different from Balaam (2 Peter 2:15)
They are compared with Balaam, who taught Balak how to entice the Israelites to sin for monetary reward. They are not different from Balaam, a prophet who ignored God’s warning because of his love for money (Numbers 22:1-34).
Like Balaam, these false teachers have forsaken the straightway and wandered off to the way of greed, sexual immorality, and pride (2 Peter 2:15-16). They teach, preach, and pray for monetary rewards. They have made merchandise of the gospel.
Springs without water Peter 2:17
Waterless Springs is another powerful picture with which Peter describes the false teachers. A waterless spring is not only useless but frustrating and disappointing. It is hope dashed. Jeremiah well captures the pain and frustration associated with a waterless spring.
Why must I endure the sting of the insults like an incurable wound? Will you let me down when I need you like a brook one goes to for water, but that cannot be relied on?” (Jeremiah 15:18, NET Bible)
False teachers are not different from waterless springs. They are deceptive. They promise to give so much when they have nothing to offer. Many who turn to them for relief shall be turned back in disappointment. In contrast to these false teachers, the same Jesus Christ they denied is the Living Water (John 4:13-14).
Clouds blown by the windstorm Peter 2:17
Clouds hold promises of rain, but when windstorms blow clouds, they become unfulfilled expectations. False teachers are not different from clouds blown by windstorms. Their teachings are useless; they injure those who listen to them. What they teach cannot sustain the listeners on the day of crisis.
What False Teachers Do
False teachers use their oratory prowess and high-sounding words to secure their audience’s attention and win their hearts. They package their speech to appeal to emotion and not the heart. They offer the people cheap gospel that permits loose and lustful lifestyles.
Seduction, allurement and enticement are the schemes of false teachers. They target those who are vulnerable spiritually, such as people with broken marriages, marital delays, single mothers, widows, and widowers. False teachers take an undue advantage of these categories of people because of their weaknesses.
They promote sin instead of denouncing it because they are slaves to sin themselves. Sin is their master. Christians are free in Christ but not free from Christ. Christians are servants of Christ.
True freedom is obtainable only in Christ. These false teachers could deceive and lead astray new Christians who are escaping the corruption of the world. New converts can again be entangled in the world. Thus, their second state will be worse than their first state.
Reflection Questions
- What are the distinguishing marks of false teachers?
- Explain how the false teachers manage to gain access to the church, operate freely within the church and exercise so much influence.
- False teachers are exploiters, yet they have good patronage. What is their secret?
- What practical steps can the church take to neutralise the activities of false teachers within the church?
- What makes people with marital challenges easy prey for false teachers?
- Many prophets and teachers are in our country with questionable doctrines and activities, yet they are making waves with sun checks. What do you think could be done to weaken their influence?
- Sexual sin is a vice that is denounced in the Bible, but it is one of the most prevalent scandals among some church leaders today.
