… even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them …
Summary: When we use the word “deny,” we must be careful that Satan does not lull us into a false sense of misunderstanding.
What does it mean to “deny” something?
When I deny myself, I say “no” to something I want. Recently, I switched to a low sodium diet for health reasons. This change resulted in a search for low-sodium foods to eat. What I discovered is that there are very few foods that qualify as “low sodium.”
As a result of my new dietary restriction, there are many things I can no longer do. Driving down the road and stopping to get a bite to eat at a fast-food place is a no-no. Almost everything we eat is loaded with sodium. Packaged foods? Again, no. Bacon? Ha! Even smelling bacon cook puts me over my sodium limit for the day. (I exaggerate to make a point, but only slightly!)
I like this example of denying myself because it illustrates how denial works.
Sodium is a component of salt. Salt is essential to life. Too much salt, however, like too much of anything, can make a person ill or even kill them.
When I say that I “deny” myself foods that are high in sodium, I do not mean that I have published a list of foods that I no longer eat. I have not declared sodium “bad” for everyone. I do not proudly march in anti-sodium parades. I do not tell sodium, “I deny you.” I simply do not eat food if there is too much sodium in it.
When Peter writes that false teachers are “denying the sovereign Lord,” he is not saying that they have a sign in their front yard that says, “I DENY THE SOVEREIGN LORD.” Of course, a person could do that, but I have never heard of it happening. Instead, people deny the Lord in the same way I deny myself sodium. Just like I avoid eating foods with too much sodium, a false teacher avoids saying or doing things that are fully within the will of God.
Let us return to the example of Adam and Eve for a moment.
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were not intentionally denying God. By that I mean, they did not eat the forbidden fruit just to spite God or make God angry. They made a choice based on a false teaching. They chose to be like God (Genesis 3:5) instead of submitting to God.
The false teaching suggested that Adam and Eve could have the best of both worlds. Satan challenged what God had said.
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
When Eve answered correctly, “you must not touch it, or you will die,” the false teacher responded, “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4a). The false teacher twisted the words of God by playing with the meaning of the word “die.”
Did Adam and Eve die?
It appears that the serpent was right. They kept breathing, but in fact, something had changed. The spirit God had given them no longer breathed. The part of them that had bound them to God was dead. To restore life to the spirit of men, God himself would have to become a man and die so that people could be “born again” spiritually (See John 3: 1-21).
False teachers still use this technique. They twist God’s Word and appear to offer a harmless choice. But the path they offer leads to death.
When looking for false teachers, do not look for them to have “I deny the Sovereign Lord” written on their calling cards. Instead, look for them to misstate God’s Word ever so slightly. Of course, to spot this, you have to know God’s Word.
Application: Expect that a false teaching will deny the sovereign Lord in a very subtle way.
Food for Thought: What makes the teaching in Chapter 1 of Peter’s second letter stand out as truth rather than false teaching? Would you recognize it as a true teaching even if it were not in the Bible? Why?
No easy answer for this one.
Mr. T —
You are absolutely right. Yet, it is an important question. If we cannot recognize true teaching, we will never be able to recognize false teaching.
What makes the teaching in Chapter 1 of Peter’s second letter stand out as truth rather than false teaching?
In my research (cause I’m not that smart), I read the chapter and some of the commentary on it. The theme of the chapter itself is “get into God’s Word.” Peter is encouraging new Christians to rely on the scriptures rather than “conversation” as the foundation of their beliefs. He is not asking them for anything, or to do anything against the teaching of God. He isn’t interpreting the scripture for them either.
Would you recognize it as a true teaching even if it were not in the Bible? Why?
Interesting question and I would love be able to give a resounding “Yes.” Truth is, maybe now I could more, a couple days ago, maybe not. I think this is something the Lord can help me with as time goes on, especially now that He has brought my attention to it.
What time is the bacon parade? 🙂
Chris,
Your answer points us back to Scripture as the measuring stick that it is. I like how you point out that Peter’s letter is itself pointing to Scripture. And yes, we definitely depend on the Lord’s help.
Sorry about the bacon parade. Somebody made a hash out of the planning. Everybody else was fried when they heard about it.
Yes, now the planners have egg on their faces!
Too funny! Thanks for the laugh at the end. 🙂
Great devotion and comments.
I think part of the answer is in the question. I recognize true teaching and error based on the Bible. The special revelation of God was given to us as a standard by which we can measure truth. The word canon, as in the canon of Scripture, is a standard by which something is judged. So all teaching claims should be judged based on the grid of Scripture.
Of course, we were also given the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth and illuminate the truth of Scripture.
God gas provided what we need. We simply need to be well acquainted with the tools He has provided.
Brother Rich,
One of the many things I appreciate about your teaching is that your “grid of Scripture” is biblical rather than theological. The study of God (theology in its pure form, a.k.a. “biblical” based study) is important for everyone to do. Adding layers of “interpretation” to God’s Word (theology in its corrupted form) is a slippery slope that can quickly devolve into false teaching. Your teaching is solidly biblical.
Your second point is key as well. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. More than that, we have to be willing to accept the guidance of the Holy Spirit and follow it.
Thank you for being faithful to both the Word and the Spirit!
10-19-2021, 2 Peter 2:1c, What makes the teaching in Chapter 1 of Peter’s second letter stand out as truth rather than false teaching?
Everything Peter writes is consistent with the word of God. He supports the work of the Holy Spirit in the OT prophets, gives all praises and credit for everything we are, talent we have, to our Lord who we are called to serve as we conform to His calling. Peter was an eyewitness to the transfiguration of Jesus and heard the voice of God from heaven.
Would you recognize it as a true teaching even if it were not in the Bible? Why?
Yes, the Holy Spirit alerts, warns me when false teachings are being expressed.
Ron,
Excellent overview! Pointing to God instead of ourselves is probably one of the most significant “tells.” And, yes, it is a blessing to be guided by the Holy Spirit! 🙂
What I find strange is that Peter was the one that denied Jesus,..then he writes these letters of truth for us to believe,..what a guy!
What stands out to me in chapter one is that he says that he will always remind us of these things, even though we know them and are firmly established,..we do need our minds refreshed daily,..
After denying Christ and having that feeling of guilt so overwhelming,..that’s got to be one way of recognizing the truth of scripture,..try it sometime and see how Peter felt,..the truth will set us free,..
Keep smiling!
John,
You are sooooooo right! Thank you for pointing that out. I think my brain likes to shove all of those unpleasant failings into the back of the memory closet. Yes, you are right. If the Spirit is alive in us and we toy with a false teaching that denies Christ in any way … BOOM! The pain of guilt sets in until turn back to the right path.
Thank God for God! His Spirit is always present to keep us on the straight and narrow path if we are willing to listen!
Even if my path wants to go get breakfast at the second picture, your correct. Guilt gets me into my Bible first. Then apparently back to read everyone’s comments. ….. No Bible, No breakfast…….. …….. No Bible, no bacon.
LOL! 🙂
Thank you, Mr. T!
Well put!