You’re “In” But Are You “Of” (Part 4)

Last time in Part 3 we began looking at some thoughts from Paul A. Cedar in his commentary on Peter’s second letter. He broke down 2:1-19 into some bite size pieces, which he calls 22 clues that will help us identify the false teacher and the false message. We covered clues 1-4 and this time we will explore 5-11. Let’s start with verses 10 and 11.

2Peter 2:10 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.

Clue #5 – They despise authority. Jude wrote the same characteristics when he described false teachers (Jude 8); they reject authority. To despise — kataphroneo — is to “think slightingly of someone.” This is not speaking directly to other men but more importantly the authority of God; kuriotes – dominion. This is in direct disobedience of God’s first commandment; thou shalt have no other gods before me (Ex 20:3). False teachers refuse to live under God’s authority because living under the Lordship of Christ carries with it the responsibility for submission and obedience to Him as opposed to their own self interests.

Clue #6 – They despise authority. Tolmetes means to be a daring, audacious, arrogant or rash person. Being presumptuous is used only in this verse and it eventually leads to sin. These teachers hate anything in authority that will discredit or diminish their message.

Clue #7 – They are self-willed. Authades infers self-pleasing or strong willed; they always want their way no matter what. That translates to wanting to do their own will rather than the will of God. It reminds me of the song made famous by Frank Sinatra … I did it my way! They are blinded by their own natural wisdom and their commitment to its message.

Clue #8 – They speak evil of dignitaries. The word is translated in the Greek as “dignities” — doxa; dignity or glory. They are so arrogant that they are not afraid to speak evil of angels or those in high esteem; they feel that they are better than others. They would do well to heed the advice of Paul: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Rom 12:3).

2Peter 2:12 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;

Clue #9 – They speak evil of things they do not understand. Peter says that false teachers are like brute (alogos; unreasonable) beasts or irrational animals who abuse, sneer and scoff at things they don’t understand out of their own natural instincts. The reason is that they are living in the flesh and therefore can’t understand things of the spirit. Yet they mock and speak evil (blasphemeo; blaspheme, defame, rail) of spiritual things. They have abandoned divine revelation for human reasoning and end up abandoning sense and logic for stupidity. Teacers with liberal views are mentally closed to what God has revealed in His Word about demons, evil spirits and fallen angels. They deny the existence of Satan and the fallen angles of vast power and intelligence that hold this world in bondage. In the end these apostates will be destroyed as a reward for their own corruption, they will fall victims of their own false propaganda and lifestyles.

2Peter 2:13 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;

Clue #10 – They are spots and blemishes. Spots (spiloi) are unwanted ugly stains and blemishes (momos) figuratively mean disgraceful people. This speaks of being worthy of blame and refers to the shame, moral disgrace and licentiousness of false teachers, sporting themselves or living in luxury — doing very well out of their false teaching. This is in direct contrast to how Paul describes the bride of Christ in his letter to the Ephesians: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27).

Clue #11 – They carouse in their own deceivings. Carouse (entruphao; sporting themselves) means to take pleasure in rioting in the daytime; they have no regard for the constraints imposed by time. And they carouse in their own deceptions (apate) while at the same time they are “feasting” with others. Sin is deceptive and those who live in sin become entangled in their own deceptions, the kind of deceptions Jesus warned us of: And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful (Mark 4:19). Paul encouraged us to do just the opposite in his letter to the Hebrews: But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13). What a contrast!

While Peter has in mind some of the despicable practices of false teachers in the first century we are certainly not immune from false messages today. It is incumbent on the bride of Christ to be on the alert for teachings that compromise and go directly contrary to the Word of God, the Word of Truth. Next time we will continue looking at more of these steps of recognition and in the meantime, stand guard over what your mind takes in and check it against your spirit, which is in direct contact with the Spirit of Truth in your heart. Remember, we are not to be ignorant of spiritual things … Guard your mind and your spirit from the subtle and appealing messages that entice your flesh and your emotions.

Previous parts of this series can be found in the Sanctification section …