Deeds of false
teachers
Key Verses: 3, 9, 12, 16, 19, 22
The
motives of false teachers seem to always be the same. They want power,
influence and money. They will stop at nothing to get it. And this has not
changed over time. Back in Peter’s day they peddled religious beliefs. In our
day they often peddle money schemes, promising wealth without much work. They
claim to have found or invented an easy way to get rich, which few others have
discovered. If you are willing to pay them, they will teach you their secrets.
Of course their secret is that they get you to pay them. That is how they get
rich.
Peter
gives the examples of the fallen angels, the ancient world, and Sodom and
Gomorrah to show that judgment comes. But what is more important is that He
spared a few individuals during the judgment: Noah, Lot and parts of their
families. This is important to know when we face trials. God is able to keep us
safe. We may die, but we are safe. We do not fall under judgment.
When
spiritual teachers get to spewing lies, there is no end to their lying. They
will say almost anything to keep their power, influence and money. Instead of
their character rising to become more like Jesus, they degrade and become more
like animals. Their behavior spirals out of control. Without restraints they
run to ruin.
Peter’s
words are not kind. He plainly names the sins of these wicked people. He does
not hold back. He would be labeled “intolerant” today. Today we are not allowed
to speak the truth, if the truth makes someone feel bad, or look bad. This is
at least true is someone lives a life of moral integrity. If your life is
filled with filth you can be sure you won’t get called on the carpet. You will
be celebrated, perhaps even elected to office or given a special protected
status in society.
Peter
says they are slaves to depravity. We have many in our world who fit this
description. We don’t use the word ‘slaves’, we use addicted. Alcohol, drugs,
pornography, shopping, food, thrills, pleasure, exercise, fitness, beauty,
fashion, cars, sports, thrillers. Anything that drives our lives for more and
greater makes us a slave. I was talking to a coworker this week. She said she
didn’t need to drink. She could go without. She just liked to drink. She used
it to relax, get away, chill out. The alcohol had her. She is its slave.
But we
live in a society of slaves. The sooner we personally face these forces in our
own lives, and yield to Jesus instead, the better off we will be. If we don’t,
we are in danger of losing everything. And when we lose it, our lives are
doubly worse. Like a dog or a pig, we return with a vengeance to our filth.