Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness…
Summary: The way of righteousness is in knowing Jesus as Savior. Knowing about Jesus is not the same thing as knowing and following Jesus.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:21a — The Way”
…and are again entangled in it and are overcome,
Summary: Peter shows us the heart of the false teacher and explains why they teach destructive heresies.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:20c — Entangled”
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
Summary: Nobody is free without Jesus.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:19 — Trapped”
… they [false teachers] entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
Summary: Peter shows us where the false teachers ply their trade. Between those who live in error and those who live in Truth is a wilderness where the false teacher finds his victims.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:18c — The Wilderness Group”
…and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh …
Summary: We live in two worlds. God calls us to live in the spiritual realm. Satan temps us with the desires of the flesh.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:18b — The Third Person”
For they [false teachers] mouth empty, boastful words …
Summary: People do not like to appear stupid. To avoid this, rather than admit that we do not know, we sometimes make up answers. Guesses that move us closer to the truth can be helpful. People who present their guesses as truth are not being helpful.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:18a — Special Knowledge”
These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
Summary: The Church, sadly, is not perfect. False teachers have caused confusion and division. Even so, the church is still loved by Jesus, and judgment waits patiently for those who dare mislead the Lord’s bride.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:17 — Lost in the Fog”
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.
Summary: The story of Balaam provides us with a powerful illustration of how a false teacher operates.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:15 — Behind Closed Doors”
…they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!
Summary: Experts in greed are different than those who occasionally struggle with desire. The expert has committed themselves to get what they want.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:14c — Calling Card”
…they seduce the unstable …
Summary: Being wobbly in the Word is not only annoying to others, it is dangerous to the Body of Christ.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:14b — “Clump-Clump””