LIVING IN THE JUNGLE
2 Peter 2:10-22
Most of us have never been to an actual jungle; but from what we know about jungles, it often seems like we live in the jungle. The animals are wild and unruly and there is danger lurking everywhere. The text in our study gives us a sense that we are living in a spiritual jungle and we must be aware that spiritual dangers are all around us.
If you ask children what animal is the king of the jungle, they will tell you, “The lion”. This is also fitting spiritually because we are told that Satan is like a hungry lion sneaking around patiently looking for whom he can attack and devour. As our last study indicated, there are false teachers that pose as true believers but are not; and they are on mission for Satan. This study continues in that theme. Let’s look at the three pictures of false teachers given in this text.
Brute Beast
2 Peter 2:10-16 (KJV)
These false teachers live each day for themselves. They go after anything they want and do whatever it takes to get it. Just as a brute beast will do anything it can to get what it wants, so will the false teacher.
The false teacher will quickly attack any who question their authority or teachings. The false teacher will not stop at destroying any around them that don’t follow. They are simply of the devil and will be destroyed.
Storm Scattered Clouds
2 Peter 2:17-19
False teachers are “full of hot air”. What they say means nothing. They make themselves look powerful and full of wisdom but in fact they are like a well with no water or a cloud that does not produce any rain. The false teacher is like a black hole that will “such you in” to destroy you. Again, these false teachers are headed for Hell. Unfortunately they will drag many with them.
Dog Or Pig
2 Peter 2:20-22
Verse 20 has been a much debated verse. Does this mean that there will be some that were saved who fall away and therefore lose their salvation? Notice that it says they had experienced the knowledge of the Lord, but quickly went back to their old ways. When a person is saved, they are changed from the inside out, not just the outside. Posing as a Christian and being a Christian are completely different.
These false teachers are like dogs that return to their vomit or a cleaned up pig that runs right back to the mud. Now I am not saying that a Christian will not sin, because they do; but this is showing us what a false teacher- fake Christian- looks like. Only God knows each person’s heart, but those that are “faking” it here on earth, will burn in Hell for all eternity unless they are saved before their death.
Sunday Evening Bible Study
Series: Hope In The Darkness (Study In 1&2 Peter) #16
June 8, 2003
Bel Aire Baptist Church
Pastor Shawn Drake
