“Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:2-3
One thing that should never surprise a believer is the fact that true Christians are truly a minority. Our Lord taught over and over that many would follow the broad way to destruction and few would follow the narrow path that leads to eternal life. (Matthew 7:13) So it should not surprise us that Peter tells us that many, not few, will follow after the false teachers. As Paul wrote Timothy, people will simply want to have their ears tickled and to hear not the gospel of Jesus Christ but things that their carnal minds and hearts want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3)
These false teachers will be popular among the crowds of the world and because their carnal minds are corrupt they will also fall for the sensuality of the false teachers. The Bible puts much emphasis on the fruit of false teachers. In the same way that Peter has taught in the first chapter that true salvation produces a life of godliness here we see the contrast of the false teachers exemplifying a life of sensuality and carnal appetite. This is what the world revels in so naturally the world will follow after teachers who cater to that worldly mindset and heart. Through their wickedness and carnality they will maligned. The Greek word used here is actually blasphemy. So in their wickedness and false teachings they will actually be slandering the truth! It is precisely why Paul urges Timothy to quiet such false teachers in the church so that they will not introduce their destructive heresies. (Titus 1:11) Pastors and leaders in the church are called to protect their flock from false teachers and their heresies, not to simply ignore them as most do today.
These false teachers are greedy and through their false teachings will seek to exploit their followers from all that they own. One need only turn on the television to most “Christian” television stations to see that the majority of those on the airwaves are non other than what Peter is describing here. Their god is money and they will stop at nothing to rob people of money.
I agree with Paul Washer that God has allowed and may even setup false teachers within the church as a form of judicial punishment on people whose god is their belly and money. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3) The statement Peter makes about the judgment of the false teachers being from long ago also supports this idea.
May we constantly be renewing our minds in the living Word of God so we can properly discern truth from error and be a people of God who not only shields our own hearts and mind from false teachings but actively encourages and exhorts others in the household of faith to stand firm in the Biblical tenants of the Christian faith.
Let us marvel at the absolute and wonderful sovereignty of God in all things – even false teachers. May He forever be praised for His unsearchable greatness and wisdom and all glory, laud and honor to Him for His mighty sovereign grace in the lives of His elect!
Soli Deo Gloria
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You nailed it…and so did Paul Washer. We believe we are in the full blown falling away, and the apostate ‘churches’ are an epidemic. 98% of the ‘pastors’ in the pulpits are false. Look up! Our redemption draws nigh! Gods sovereignty has to be one of our greatest comforts. Good post!