The Truth about False Teachers

Scripture:
2 Peter 2: 1–3 — “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned.
 
Observation:
Peter warned of false teachers. Many powerful speakers claim to have important ideas for Christians to hear. Many massage their own ideas about different angles on church doctrine and give us promises of special knowledge. How do we separate the good from the bad? Peter gives us some safeguards in the whole of 2 Peter. Some are specified here. I notice that we need to pay special attention to the teacher’s ethical and moral behavior. The Bible stresses that false teachers will have immorality in their lives. Watch out how they treat people and money! Verse three tells us of their greed. If we observe leaders, we can tell is they love people and use money or love money and use people. Above all, we need to live out the invitation to be students of God’s Word ourselves! Keep in mind that advanced degrees and the ability to read the Bible in the original languages is noble and good, but knowing God’s Word is open to us all! The better we know the Bible, the better we can be about keeping false teaching away.
 
Application:
I need to care about my church and how we believe and teach and practice God’s truth! I don’t need to be a biblical slouch. I myself need to know God’s Word and important core doctrines.
 
Prayer:
Lord, thanks for allowing me to be a part of a church where we honor your Word! Keep your truth paramount here at Pinelake. Bless me as I lead. Bless Chip and all of our pastors and leaders and elders. Especially we pray for Chip and all who teach your word. Give us the discipline of study, the desire to learn and the humility to admit when we are wrong or do not know. Allow our lives to match up with your Word.  

— Robert Green, small groups pastor, Reservoir campus