Caution! False Teachers Part 2 2 Peter 2:12-22 Lesson 18 Peter continues on in chapter two speaking out against false teachers and the fake news they were spreading concerning Jesus Christ. In our verses this week, he blatantly describes these teachers who were flaunting their sinful lifestyles. Without holding back, he compares them to brute beasts. These kinds of animals are destined for nothing more than slaughter and that was the end Peter saw in store for these false teachers. Their very choices would drag them down and ruin them. If these wayward teachers had kept their way of life out of the church, Peter would not have had to deal so harshly with them, but they were part of the fellowship! They were taking advantage of the weaker brothers and sisters and defiling the assembly. Peter refers to them as spots and blemishes because they were polluting the church with their fleshly and out of control behavior. They had no hesitation in sinning or involving others in their sinful behavior. These apostates knew the right road that God had established for them to follow, but they willfully abandoned God s way to satisfy their own fleshly lusts. A true servant of God is humble and puts the good and the welfare of others before his own. He honors God and is careful with the people of God. In these last days, there will be an overwhelming abundance of false teachers. Now more than ever before, the people of God need to be wise and discerning regarding who they listen to and who they are willing to follow. Each of us must pray and ask the Lord to help us use caution in our choices so we can successfully avoid these religious frauds who promise liberty but actually are slaves of corruption. Let us never forget that only when the Word of God holds first place in our hearts will we be able to stand against these deceivers. That is why we meet week after week in our Women s Study. As we listen to the teaching of the Word and fellowship around its truth, we grow stronger and stronger. Press on in your journey because there is no doubt you are growing in Christ! 1
Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: 2 Peter 2:12-22 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit, and, a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20 1. Here in the second part of our study on false teachers, we will learn more about their character and way of life. Read verses 12-15 of this week s scripture and write down all the descriptions of these false teachers and prophets. 2
a. What additional description does Matthew 7:15 give of false prophets and teachers? b. How do we spot those who wish to lead us astray with false teaching in today s church? 2. Verse 17 of this week s scripture states that false teachers and prophets are like wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest. How does Ephesians 4:14 add further insight to this description? a. What solution to the problem of being carried away by false teaching is given in Ephesians 4:15-16? b. According to these verses in Ephesians, how should we respond if a false teacher were to enter the church? To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting, and precious; and, as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed. A.T. Pierson (1837-1911) 3
3. Fill in the key words to verse 19 of this week s passage below. While they promise them, they themselves are of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into. What do the following verses tell us about these key words? a. John 8:32: b. Galatians 5:1: c. 2 Corinthians 3:17: 4. Verses 20-22 of this week s scripture can be very difficult to read because it speaks of those who have been once again caught into the bondage of sin. Read Titus 3:3-7 and note the contrast between how we once were and what we are now because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. a. Does this truth encourage you? Why or why not? If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation. Let this be one aspect of our daily intercession: "God, preserve my soul, and keep my heart and all its ways so that I will not be entangled." When this is true in our lives, a passing temptation will not overcome us. We will remain free while others lie in bondage. John Owen (1616-1683) 4
Reflect and Respond What has touched your heart and encouraged your spiritual growth during this week s study? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5
Thoughts & Prayers 6