BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS
II Peter 2:1-9
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus issued a sobering warning that applies as much today as it did back then, He said: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” - Matthew 7:15. There are many ravenous wolves wandering the earth today wearing suits and calling themselves preachers. Like their father, the Devil, they are roaming about seeking people whom they can devour. Years after the ascension of Jesus, the Apostle Peter wrote about the reality and danger of false teachers. I would like to examine Peter’s appeal and preach on the thought “Beware Of False Teachers”
- In verse 1, Peter speaks about:
I. THE REALITY OF FALSE TEACHERS
v1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you,
In this chapter, Peter reveals many characteristics that are apparent in the lives of false teachers. He also speaks to the importance and source of the Holy Scriptures. In verse 20 he says, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
The scriptures are where we find truth. The Apostle Paul says that the scriptures are inspired, literally “breathed out by God”. Unfortunately, there have always been men (and women) who intentionally distort the Word of God for their own selfish purposes. Moses, Jeremiah, and other true prophets had to combat false prophets in the days of the Old Testament. False teachers were abundant in the days of Jesus and the Apostles as well.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Paul spoke out against false prophets in Romans 16:17, he said: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
John warned about false prophets in 1 John 4:1, he said: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Jude referenced the reality of false prophets in Jude 1:4, he said: “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
There are numerous other scriptures in the Bible concerning the reality of false prophets. Some two thousand years after Peter penned this Epistle, false teachers are still a reality. Furthermore, due to modern technology, these vipers can spread their venom faster and farther than any other time in history.
Some false teachers are easily discernable for those who have basic scriptural training and a measure of common sense. When most people see the antics of men like Benny Hinn, Peter Popoff and Kenneth Copeland they can immediately discern that those men are not true teachers of the Gospel. But there are others who are not quite as extreme that are not only deceiving the untrained and gullible, but they are also influencing many genuine Christians. I am astonished by how many people who belong to solid biblical churches waste their time and poison their minds watching people like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, T.D Jakes, Steven Furtick, Creflo Dollar, and others.
However, it is not just the high profile celebrity pastors who lead “mega churches” that are dangerous. There are people within walking distance of our current location who are just as deceptive and dangerous. Therefore, it is imperative for us to be able to discern between a false teacher and a genuine preacher of the Gospel. Thankfully, the Bible tells us all that we need to know, and this specific passage is one of the most valuable concerning this subject.
- As we continue to examine verse 1, we will see:
II. THE ACTIONS OF FALSE TEACHERS
An authentic preacher/teacher is a man who has been called by God. He is one whose message comes directly from God's Word. This is not the case for a false teacher. When you examine a man's actions you can tell what his motivation is.
- 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.
These slanderous, self-willed false teachers blatantly reject all authority. They foolishly do not respect the power of Satan, nor do they realize that they are doing his work! Moreover, it is apparent that in their rebellion they are not even afraid of God. Having no fear of the coming judgement, they use His name to accomplish their own selfish and evil schemes.
- In the process:
f) FALSE TEACHERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WEAK - Verse 14 says that “They entice unsteady souls”. They draw unstable people in and then lead them into error, sin, and false doctrine. This is a road that ultimately ends in judgment and eternal destruction. Paul describes such men as “those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions” (2 Timothy 3:6). False teachers seduce those who are not established in the faith. They go after those who are “weak” because they are easy prey!
- The reason they do this is also mentioned in verse 14.
g) FALSE TEACHERS ARE GREEDY AND SELFISH - v14d “They have hearts trained in greed”. This seems to be the primary motivation for why false teachers do what they do. Everything they do is a result of the covetousness & greed that fills their hearts. It is not just money that they are after, they also want glory; glory that belongs to God. These people will do whatever they can to attain power, position, prosperity, popularity & prestige. They do not seek to honor Jesus, they do not want to reach the lost, they are not concerned with equipping the Saints, they just want to help themselves. False teachers are evil, corrupt, deceptive and they are having a tremendously negative impact on society.
- I would like to look back at verse 2 and examine:
III. THE INFLUENCE OF FALSE TEACHERS
v2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
Peter says that many will be deceived and follow the evil teaching and shameful morality of these false prophets. As a result, the truth will be blasphemed. Rather than following the truth, multitudes will fall for the lies of false teachers. Paul warned Timothy that, “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Throughout Church history there have been many who have perverted the Gospel of Christ and have deceived many. As we speak, millions are being deceived by the TBN crowd and a host of others on the internet. The “name it and claim it”, “blab it and grab it” prosperity crowd are blatant false teachers. Those who water down the Word and ignore biblical doctrine are deceptive liars. Motivational speakers who refuse to preach the whole counsel of God are wolves in sheep's clothing. The magnitude of their influence and the multitude who have been deceived is staggering.
One may wonder how this is even possible. It is possible because people do not want nor do they like the truth contained in God’s Word. When they turn to these false teachers, they get what they want instead of what they actually need. Those who are deceived and follow such people will suffer eternally for their willful ignorance. Furthermore, the false teachers will pay an eternal price as well.
- We have seen the reality of false teachers, the actions of false teachers and the influence of false teachers, finally I would like to consider:
IV. THE JUDGMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS
Peter describes the judgement that is coming for those who teach false doctrine. He says in verse 1 that “they bring upon themselves swift destruction”. Then in verse 3 he says, “their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep”. Verse 9 says that the Lord keeps “the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment”. Verse 12 says, “But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction”. Verse 13 declares that they “suffer wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing". Finally, verse 17 says “These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.”
A well without water and clouds without rain would be a major disappointment in a hot and dry land. False teachers appear to have spiritual water to quench the thirsty soul, but the reality is that they have nothing of worth to offer. In the end, God will judge them for their slander, heresy, and blasphemy.
In verses 4-9 Peter reveals the fact that God never has and never will tolerate sin. He says that God did not spare the angels who sinned. They were cast into Hell where they will be held until judgment. God did not spare the world in Noah's day; He destroyed the earth with a flood. God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah; but He protected His servant Lot.
These are Biblical examples of what will happen to the ungodly and that includes false teachers. These deceivers may bring in multiple millions of dollars each year. They may live impressive mansions and drive the most luxurious cars. They may have tens of millions invested in a private jet that takes them all over the world. They may have multiple books on the best seller list. They may have a successful TV/internet/radio ministry. They may have all that this world can offer. However, none of these things will change the fact that God will judge them in the end.
God used His Apostles to sound a waring in His Word that still applies today. Again, I quote the Apostle John in 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Be extremely careful who you listen to. Always remember that just because someone is wearing a suit, holding a Bible, standing behind a pulpit, and invoking the name of Jesus, this is no guarantee that they were called by Him. Finally, I encourage you to spend ample time in God’s Word. When you become well acquainted with the truth, you will be equipped and prepared to “Beware Of False Teachers”.
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