The World needs the Truth

Scripture Read:  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. [2] And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; [3] and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Application: Three words really stick out here. 1. Secretly = παρεισάγω pareisagō - to introduce or bring in secretly or craftily - letting enemies into a city) or at least the unexpected; Sensuality, ἀσέλγεια aselgeia absence of restraint, insatiable desire for pleasure. Man necessarily falls victim to this when cut off from God. It characterises Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Pt. 2:7) and the pagan world generally (Eph. 4:19), also heresy and apostasy; Maligned; βλασφημέω, δυσφημέω blasphēmeō, dysphēmeō 1 to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme. 2 to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at.  In secular Gk. βλασφημία is a. “abusive speech” 1. In the NT the concept of blasphemy is controlled throughout by the thought of violation of the power and majesty of God. Violation of the obligation of love even in such matters could expose to scandal. False teaching is blasphemy when it perverts from the way of truth (2 Pt. 2:2; R. 3:8). The blasphemy does not have to find verbal expression. Any bad or unloving action can contain it, either because it resists the holy will of God or because it causes the enemies of Christianity to calumniate it.

 

This is the tactic of the false teacher – conscious of it or not they are bringing in enemies to Truth, using the senses – health wealth and prosperity – that in the end twist what the Truth is. That in turn helps the world to view the Faith with disdain. Their truth is based on human senses not God’s Truth. This makes their gospel self-centered, all about them and their comforts – which the world sees as no different that any of their philosophies! The power of the Gospel is that it is about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and then others. False teacher is about a different trinity – Me, Myself and I. Please keep me in the Truth Oh Lord!