Beware Of False Teachers Series

- In this passage, Peter describes the actions of false teachers. Notice:

a) FALSE TEACHERS SPREAD FALSE DOCTRINE - False teachers are those “who will secretly bring in destructive heresies”. Heresy is a belief or teaching that is contrary to the true doctrine of Christ. False teachers may use the Bible and quote scripture, but they will twist it to fit their personal agenda.

- As they spread their false doctrine:

b) FALSE TEACHERS DENY CHRIST - Peter says that they “deny the Master who bought them”. This is not to say that false teachers will not use the name of Jesus, but they certainly do not use it accurately. Jesus is God, therefore He should be worshipped, obeyed, and feared. False teachers use His name to benefit themselves, not to bring Him glory or point people to Him. They have no fear of Him because they do not belong to Him. If they continue unrepentant, they will die lost in their sins and face His righteous judgment.

- Later in this chapter, Peter points out that:

C) FALSE TEACHERS LIVE IMMORAL LIVES - In v10 he refers to them as “those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion”. In v14 he says, “They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin”. Though these deceivers stand and proclaim the name of Jesus, their lives are filled with wickedness and sin. False teachers say one thing and do another.

There are numerous examples of those who use their positions of influence to indulge in their immoral sexual desires. Time does not permit us to go down the list of so-called pastors, preachers and ministry leaders who have been involved in extramarital affairs, homosexual relationships, child molestation scandals and drug abuse. This happens because these people have no moral compass. They do not have a relationship with Jesus and as a result they follow the lusts of the flesh. In the process they cause great harm because they are deceptively using the name of Christ. Again, this is not just something that happens to the celebrity pastors, there are many examples of this sort of depravity in our own county.

- Peter goes on to say in verse 10:

d) FALSE TEACHERS DESPISE AUTHORITY - They “indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority”. Here, “authority” comes from the same Greek word as “lord”. The idea is that these men profess to belong to Christ but refuse surrender to Him as Lord. That is, He is not the supreme authority in their lives and He does not guide their “ministries”. Though false teachers often invoke the name of Jesus, they reject His lordship.

- Their rebellion is apparent by their actions and as Peter continues, he points out that:

e) FALSE TEACHERS ARE REBELLIOUS AND ARROGANT - v10c “Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones”. False teachers are characterized by lust and arrogance. “Willful” or “Self-willed” means to be obstinate; it speaks of one who has a “my way or the highway mindset”. Furthermore, Peter says that such men “blaspheme the glorious ones”.

In view of the context of verse 11, this is most likely a reference to evil, fallen angels. It seems that the false teachers mocked the power of the devil and his demons. Concerning this, R.C Sproul says “If one does not understand Satan’s power, one cannot discern it or be on guard against his influence. Even today, a flippant attitude toward Satan and his power can lead to spiritual danger. The devil prowls about looking for those whom he may devour, and he finds it easiest to devour those who are unsuspecting or those who deny the reality of His work in the world. Such people are unable to follow Peter’s admonition to firmly resist Satan.