2 Peter 2:20-22

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Peter doesn’t look too nicely on those who have returned to their old lifestyle. He sees people that were sinners and lived lives of corruption and filth who are found and redeemed by Christ. He then sees them return to their old lifestyle and way of thinking, and he doesn’t like it. As a matter of fact, he uses two very interesting pictures to describe it. The first is the picture of a dog. As is the nature of dogs, they over-eat, or mis-eat, or something goes horribly wrong and the contents of their stomachs become the former contents of their stomachs (they puke). As is the tendency with dogs, all of which fall under the category of omnivore, they continue to mosey around the vicinity for a while until they find a steaming hot pile of food (former contents of their stomachs)….the rest is left for the imagination, let’s just say, the dog that returns to his vomit usually leaves stuffed. The other picture is that of a pig. The farmer comes and gets his pig. He cleans her up, gives her a bath, scrubs her hooves, cleans out her ears, and sets her back in the pigpen. Without missing a beat, she runs back over to the mud/pig waste puddle and begins to roll around, securely reapplying the recently removed filth. This is exactly what those who have been cleaned by Christ yet return to their former sin are doing. The word “backsliding” doesn’t paint the right picture. Peter prefers a term like “vomit-eating,” or “mud/pig waste wallowing.” And Peter’s perspective is spot on. Perhaps if we could get the vision of our sin that God has, we too would avoid it. But too often, the allurement of a moment blinds us to the absolutely disgusting nature of the very thing that entices us. If only we could peel off that layer of lust and feel the disgust. But many don’t and they fall back into the lifestyle out of which they were saved. He has washed you, now, stay clean.

Food For Thought: According to verses 20-21, what does Peter say about those who have been entangled and overcome by this false way of thinking?

2 Peter 2:17-19

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is eh brought in bondage.

Corruption and liberty stand as two diametrically opposed forces. One who is corrupt is not free; and the one who truly will be free must flee corruption. Verse 19 today points out the fact that false teachers living in corruption offer liberty to those they are trying to mislead. They teach that their ways are the ways of freedom. They purport that bondage holds those who do not fulfill the lusts of their flesh(v.18). Their mentality is that to be free, somebody must do whatever they desire, even if those desires are sinful and corrupt. Sadly, they speak as shackled men. The bondage that they themselves are in is evident, but they still herald freedom to those around them. Ironically, they go to the house of the free, and offer freedom. They come to those in Christ and tell them of a greater liberty. The ones who were set free from the chains of sin, found liberty in the grace of God. Now as free, they are being mis-taught by false teachers that there is a greater liberty – their old lifestyle. How ludicrous this proposal! It is like telling the convict that was just released from the penitentiary that he will be freer if he returns to his cell. These false teachers have not found the way of freedom, rather, their desire to vindicate their own wicked living has become the impetus to motivate others to be as wicked as they are. The basis for their understanding, man’s reasoning, stands as an affront to the things which are spiritually discerned. He thinks that he has solved a riddle that God has not even offered up. He thinks that he has outsmarted the God who called His people to be holy. This false-teacher is gravely mistaken, and will one day face the eternal consequences for that mistake. Liberty is not found in corruption. The soul that longs to be free will only find liberty in Christ.

Food For Thought: Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-14. Why do you think that false teachers think something other than the gospel will work in the lives of men?

2 Peter 2:10-16

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Peter warns of false teachers who “walk after the flesh, and despise government.” They “speak evil of the things that they understand not, and have eyes full of adultery, and an heart of covetousness.” Be cautious of churches or pastors who find it necessary to attack their government. Be cautious of Christian leaders who live lives that reflect sinful desires. Be cautious of church figures that are willing to argue about and condemn things that they are not fully informed on. Be cautious of preachers whose lives are marked by greed or sensuality. The pulpit of a church should have a primary purpose - to reveal the gospel of Christ and the glory of God. Beyond that, knowledge and understanding of Jesus and the desires of the magnificent Creator and Sustainer should be used to promote wholeness and holiness in the believer. The pulpit should not, however, be used as a stepladder for the personal desires of the speaker. The desire of God should be the driving force. The will of the Almighty should shape all speaking and presentation in the pulpit. The use of the pulpit to undermine God’s delegated authority, the government, is a misuse of the pulpit. A preacher must study and know what he is teaching, and if it is sin, he must call it that, but if it is not, he must not condemn it. It is easy to be against things, and many preachers are. Uninformed, they pass judgment on the unknown. This is a marking characteristic of a false teacher. The personal life of the preacher must match the standard that God has clearly stated in His Word. A life of sin, of greed, of sexual immorality, all point towards a man who is not preaching the truth of a holy and righteous God. Watch for all of these red flags. Notice the one who is teaching and preaching. Look for areas where you can extend grace in a humble way to any who seem to err, and pray constantly for those who minister and teach God’s Word, lest they fall into error.

Food For Thought: List three things from today’s text that are characteristic of a false teacher.

Weekend Nugget:

Ecclesiastes 10:1 says “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doeth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” The picture that Solomon paints is that of the ancient apothecary’s shop. The apothecary, historically, was the one who dealt in cures, ointments and perfumes. He would be the ancient equivalent of the modern day pharmacist. It would also be common for him to have fragrances and scented oils burning in his shop, that he would draw in customers from outside the shop. Unfortunately, because it smelled so strong, it would no doubt attract all types of insects. Once the insects came, they would be overwhelmed by the hot oils, and would sink into the fragrant mix. After a few minutes, the burning fragrance would slowly change its smell from that of perfume, to that of dead fly. The very thing that was once used to draw people into the apothecary’s shop was now the thing that was driving people away. It didn’t matter how much perfume he had burning, the smell of the burning dead fly was overwhelming. Solomon then makes the wise analogy that those with wisdom who exercise a little bit of folly are like this perfume. They have so much to offer in their wisdom and honor, but when their folly is revealed those around them lose all their trust in them. This is seen over and over in our culture, whether it is through the impropriety of Tiger Woods, or the indiscretion of General Petraeus, or the alleged indecency of Lance Armstrong. Men who have before been viewed as leaders and role models, unravel their own worlds with some form of folly. They view the satisfaction of the moment worth more than the labors of a lifetime. Solomon says here, that the folly is horrible, even if the person attempts to cover it with layers of wisdom. It will come to light. People will smell the dead fly in the ointment.

Food For Thought: Give an example in your life of what Solomon equates to the dead fly in the perfume.

2 Peter 2:1-3

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

I imagine that after Peter saw Jesus stripped, beaten and killed, that those mental pictures stayed with him the rest of his life. No doubt, the gravity of personal experience in the occurrences of the crucifixion played and replayed in his mind at times. It must have been frustrating for him to hear others, (who he called “false teachers”) try to say that mankind was saved any other way than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When we see verse 1 today, Peter points out further that the ones who teach these “damnable heresies” (this is pretty much the most solid way of saying “lies”) are actually “denying the Lord that bought them.” This is an interesting phrase. There is a doctrine that says Jesus only died for the sins of those who put their faith in Him. On the other side of the theological aisle is the argument that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. This idea that Jesus’s death was only for the sins of the saved is known as “Limited Atonement.” This theology speaks about how that Jesus blood was “efficacious” (effective and useful) only for the ones who put their faith in Him. While I agree that Jesus’s blood does only save those who put their faith in Him, the distinction must be made that He did not die just for those who put their faith in him. Rather, His blood was shed even for those who would never put their faith in him. The false teachers in verse 1 were “bought by the Lord,” but they also are reserved to the “day of judgment to be punished.” If Jesus’s blood only paid for the sins of believers, then why would these “bought ones” be eternally punished by God? God is loving. God is just. God is excessively clear on what it takes to be saved from the wrath to come. Payment has been made for all mankind through the atoning work of Jesus. If we come in faith, God graciously forgives and justifies us.

Food For Thought: Read 1 John 2:1-2. Who did Jesus die for, the saved or the whole world? Who is saved by His blood?

2 Peter 2:4-9

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

God has never wavered in His assessment of sin. Often with a false definition of justice, we say things like, “Why is God so harsh against those who commit sin?” The reality is, “How can a God who is truly ‘just’ not punish sin when He has declared that all sin will be punished?” A judge who does not punish offenders in his courtroom, is not a just judge. If someone murders, breaking the law, the judge is only ‘just’ if he sentences the murderer to serve punishment for his crime. Justice is only true justice when it executes punishment. God then, as a just God, must execute punishment on those who commit sin. When the angels disobeyed and rebelled, they were cast down. When the world revolted and sinned from the beginning, God sent a purging flood to cleanse the earth. When Sodom and Gomorrah directly violated God’s designs especially in the area of sexuality, God used fire and brimstone to execute punishment for sin. But in all of those scenarios, God did not kill all. In heaven He did not scathe the remnant of angels who remained loyal. In the flood, Noah and his family were spared. In Sodom and Gomorrah, God retrieved Lot moments before the fiery torrent devastated the cities. He is a just and gracious God. Punishment is reserved to those who violate His designs and His laws. Sadly, we all fall into the category of “law-breaker.” Romans 3 says that we “all have sinned.” Justice calls for punishment for that sin. As the angels were cast down, and the world was drowned, and the two cities were scorched, we have positioned ourselves under the just wrath of a righteous God. But the same God who is just, according to Ephesians 2, is also rich in mercy. Without compromising His justice, He extends to us grace and forgiveness through Jesus. How? Because on the cross, He poured out His wrath on Jesus so that we would not have to feel it. Now, if we put our faith in the work of Jesus, we can have mercy and grace from the hand that once held wrath. God is Good. God is Just. God is Merciful. Jesus is Wonderful.  

Food For Thought: What question should we ask instead of “why is God so harsh against those who commit sin?”?

2 Peter 1:19-21

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Peter witnessed the feeding of the five thousand as he lugged around a basket filled with rolls and fish sticks. He personally climbed out of a boat in the middle of the wave-tossed sea and walked on water to Jesus. He saw the transfiguration of Christ with his own eyes. He lived with Jesus and understood the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah. There was no more guessing when the Christ would come, Peter knew He had already come. No longer did he have to rely on someone’s opinion of the Messiah, He now walked with Him and spoke to Him. Peter didn’t have to trust in the Messiah as if He was some mystical figure like the Tooth Fairy. Peter had seen and touched Jesus. He heard God from heaven say of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son.” From the very mouth of God, Peter now heard audibly the words that God had been speaking through the writings of his appointed men. Prophecy had been the words of God from the mouths of men, but this vindication came from God’s mouth. Now, faith in Jesus’s Divinity did not have to be proven from the texts of the Old Testament, although it could be, God Himself had spoken of Jesus’s Divinity. We truly can believe God’s Words. Peter closes his treatise here in verse 21 with “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” We don’t have to say one is better than the other. The life experience of hearing the audible voice of God was to Peter as real as the written word of God being breathed through God’s holy penmen. There was no need to make a distinction, because when God speaks it is always with absolute authority. As authoritative as God’s Words were on the Mount of Transfiguration, His Holy Word that we possess in the Scriptures is equally as authoritative. We even now, with surety can read His Word with as much confidence as if He were here speaking audibly the same words to us.  

Food For Thought: Which holds more authority, God speaking to us with a voice from heaven or God speaking to us through the pages of the Bible?