Text: 2 Peter 2: 1-22 ( cf. Acts 17:11; 1 John 4: 1)
An essential part of Christian maturity is the ability to discern true from false, even when the church’s spiritual leaders present it in biblical language. This is clearly demonstrated to us by our today’s passage which opens by pointing out that false doctrine is an issue every Christian must face. We all need to cultivate a spirit of discernment in how we hear and respond to those who claim to teach God’s Word. Although false teaching is sophisticated and very difficult to detect, Christians can be able to recognise such deviant teaching as much by the conduct of the teachers as by the content of their message.
Notice the four points Peter makes about the destructive heresies/content of false teachers: they are pervasive, destructive, attractive, and manipulative (vv. 1-3). Also take note of the identifying traits pointed out in vv. 10-22 regarding the kind of rotten lives they lead: they are bold and arrogant (vv. 11-12), they live for pleasure( vv. 13-14), they promise what they cannot deliver (vv. 18-19), and they wander from the way of God (v. 20-22). What is the most distinctive thing about Christ’s way (cf. Mark 8: 34)?
Meditate verses 2-3. What clues do you see in the life styles of false teachers that indicate that their teaching is out of step with the message of the Bible?
Where does this influence ultimately lead? How would you counsel a young Christian who is being influenced by this kind of teaching? What surprising light does Peter shed on Lot and the way he felt while he lived in Sodom (vv. 7-8)?
What does that say to us about how a genuine Christian will feel and act in ungodly society?
Dear Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, stir in me the spirit of discernment so that I may become Your instrument of reaching out to those who are being swayed from Your way by false teachers and their subtlety of their teaching. Amen.