Posted on 05/19/2007 5:28:51 PM PDT by WileyPink
“Spiritual Error is Rampant”
2 Peter 2:1-22
Truth precedes lies. Lies never come first. In the first century, for example, Paul notified Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Paul had urged Timothy, “Preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). Years later, the most effective way to counter falsehood has not changed. Lies can’t handle the truth. Faced with the facts, every lie eventually dies.
In chapter two, Peter exposed the truth about false teachers. He lamented how destructive they were (vv. 18-22). He awaited their “swift destruction” (v. 1; see also vv. 3, 12), God’s judgment (vv. 3-9, 17).
(Excerpt) Read more at mbcb.org ...
1 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.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 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.
4 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;
5 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;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds);
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 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.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 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;
13 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;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 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;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.
18 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.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in 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 therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had 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.
22 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.
Welcome to this week’s Sunday School Bible Study. Thank you for your prayers and understanding for my absence last week. There’s no ‘juicy stuff’, but suffice it to say that Satan is a very strong influence in this world. And, he did his best to be an influence in my life. I guess that the closer we are to God’s will, the more of a primary target for Satan’s attacks we are. I am still battling but I am on God’s side…and we know who’ll win. It did make me realize how feeble and weak I am and how unworthy of God’s grace I am. It also made me realize how able, strong, and longsuffering God is and that His grace truly is AMAZING. We must go through tribulations hanging on to God’s hand, not go around or run from them on our own. Now on with the lesson, and please join in.
Dear Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to study your word and to discern the many teachings in the world today. Lead us through your word by your Spirit. In Jesus’ name…
This lesson reminds me of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. You know, the Secret Service…the money guys. These folks are called any time a counterfeit bill is taken instead of the real thing. The Treasury boys can tell a fake bill as soon as they see it. Not because they have studied the counterfeit bills but because they have studied the real bills. Hours and hours of study. They know the spacing between letters, the dimensions of the numbers, the shade of the colors, etc. They study these real bills so much that when a counterfeit bill is put in front of them it sticks out like monopoly money.
This is how we should be are when we hear teachers teaching from the Bible. We should be so familiar with the basic tenants of Christianity that when we hear something that ‘just doesn’t sound right’, we recognize it automatically. And, we should test all teaching by the scripture. I must admit, I use e-sword during my study. (Some call it cheating, I call it using the tools God gives me to use.) It makes verifying teaching very easy. I have to be careful about becoming dependant with its ease, but it works. What ever you use, use it consistently. Read and study the Bible daily. And Pray without ceasing.
We must study the word not only to be able to discern the false teachers, but also that we don’t mislead others through false teachings. James 3:1 says, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” I keep this particularly in mind when I study. If I’m confused about some doctrine, I’ll study a different translation or commentary. I want to know that I understand correctly so that I don’t speak incorrectly regarding that subject. I believe that God will punish those harshly who teach false doctrine…especially those who knowingly teach falsely. I believe God does judge teachers by a higher standard. Even though I don’t consider myself a “teacher”, I’m with you out here on the front lines. I want to give seekers the correct information by studying to show myself approved unto God and to rightly divide the Word of truth.
This lesson in particular is the main reason I WANT and DESIRE your input and commentary. If you see something that you question or disagree about, let me know. I’ve been known to misspeak before and I’ll probably do it again. Many times my thoughts get well ahead of my typing fingers and I even confuse myself regarding what I’m trying to say. So please, let me know if that happens! Thanks again for your participation and God Bless you all.
In Christ,
Wiley
Sunday School Bible Study Ping
Thank you for the ping to the Word.
..I’m teaching the same text in Sunday School tomorrow—that’s what’s scheduled in our SS quarterly...
Yes sir, That’s the same place I get these lessons from. I do my best to post these each Saturday night. Please feel free to join in and participate.
Wiley
I only wish that they would split the 22 verses into two lessons--there is so much there to cover. : - 0
You are so right. You’ll notice that I didn’t get much past the 11th or 12th verse. I didn’t even get to the part about...a pig is still a pig, even if you wash him...lol
Wiley
A side note from the study, one of our members of our ping list, Grand Eagle, has passed into the hands of our Savior. Some of you may remember that he had a heart ‘scare’ a couple of weeks ago. Well, evidently it wasn’t a scare. If you would, pray from his family in their time of grief.
Wiley
So, his promotion came through.
Prayers up for his family.
I wondered how he was doing. Prayers.
Amen, and Word up, FRiend.
Thank you for the lesson.
I’m so very sorry to hear about Grand Eagle.
I thought everything was okay with him.
God be with, and comfort, his family.
I know he’s in good hands.
My prayers are with his family.
This is so sad...
Rascal, he was always ahead of me. May the Peace that passes all understanding be upon his family.
That is THE best wish...
I'll bump that right to the tippy top.
AMEN!!!
He's one that won't have to worry about false teachings anymore. Just think, he can get his lesson straight from Peter.
This lesson is one of the most important lessons for Elders, Deacons, and Teachers. The responsibility of protecting the doctrine of the church rests on these individuals. When was the last time you prayed for these leaders? Pray they stay faithful to the Word.
Many years ago when I was just joining a local church after conversion, there happened to be some controversy at this particular church. It seems the Sunday School Superintendent had just been relieved of his duties and then ‘put out of fellowship’. Doctrinal error was the culprit.
One has to ask, “How come the church did not know what he believed BEFORE they let him in to fellowship, let alone the head teaching role”?
Needless to say, many of today’s churches do not have procedures in place to ‘screen’ prospective members and leaders. This is how the first few verses in 2 Peter 2 can come to fruition.
Today I am on that board. I have been mentored and groomed to be there through a long process. Policies have been instituted to screen every member. Positions of leadership and teaching are chosen slowly and with a mentoring process. Much prayer is done, and nothing is done out of haste or an ‘urgent need’.
But if at any time I think that the congregation is not praying for the leaders, then it will be time to leave. The prayers of the congregation are our protection. Please pray for your leaders today.
Also prayers up for Grand Eagle’s family as he has taken wings to soar up to heaven were his strength has been renewed for evermore.
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:”
Those who worship Mammon, not God, are the ones whose hearts are virtually bought and sold.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Lord, let us be quick to hear and obey. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Cross linking...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1836564/posts
Please consider him for the FR Memorial Wall.
Prayers for Grand Eagle’s family.
Thanks for your ping.
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