2 PETER 2:18-22

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
 

DON’T BE DECEIVED
 

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." 2 Peter 2:18-22 (NKJV)

As I read these verses, the thought came to my mind that the same thing that St. Peter is talking about takes place today. There are religious personalities and Parish Pastors who "speak great swelling words of emptiness." These False Teachers, which includes preachers, for preaching is really teaching, often use lust of the flesh to draw people to them. I have heard one Television Evangelist boasting to the congregation, both present and in the TV audience, about the mansion he lives in, his fleet of luxury automobiles, his fine clothes, and other fine things. The people lust after these things and support the ministry of this person as their contributions continue to roll in. No wonder he can afford a mansion and everything else. Other false teachers surround themselves with "the beautiful" people dressed to emphasize their sexuality and this lewdness draws people.

There are two sad things about this. The first is that they draw many away from where the true Word of God is Preached, Taught and Proclaimed. They are drawn away because they have never found the golden gems that are in the Word of God. They are deceived by the false teachers when they are invited to come and enjoy the real Good Life. The second sad thing is that when they follow the false teacher, they get so caught up in the hype that they do not realize they have been duped.

St. Peter tells us that those who had heard the Good News of the Gospel and then were enticed away, sadly to return to their lost and condemned status. St. Peter does not want this to happen, that is why he warns the people he is writing to. Neither should we want this to happen, but what can we do about it? Or do we even care?

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, help me to examine my faith. If I have accepted some false teachings from false teachers, help me to discern what they are and reject them before they draw me away from your Love. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

If your church does not have Bibles for each person to use during the Worship Service, at the next gathering of voters encourage that enough pew Bibles be purchased so they are available to all who gather for worship. If a Bible text is listed in the Sunday Bulletin or announced, look it up right away and follow along as the Pastor preaches. Ask yourself these questions:

Did the Pastor refer to any verses of the text?

Did the Pastor use cute, funny or just plain illustrations in his sermon. If yes, did they have anything to do with the sermon or were they just cute stories used to entice the people away to follow the Church of the False Teacher?

If you have concerns, let them be known. You may not stop the false teacher, but you may keep a friend out of the line that only leads to Eternal Darkness.