Tag: entangled
False Teachers are Dangerous!
Scripture reading for November 17: 2 Peter 2
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”” 2 Peter 2:19-22
Peter was concerned for the spiritual welfare of the church. False teachers and teaching had spread that advocated a new ‘freedom’ to live in sensuality while still claiming to love Jesus. These teachers were themselves now ‘slaves of corruption’ after once having a salvation experience and being delivered and washed from sins. True freedom comes from repentance and washing clean from sin and it’s shame.
Peter stated that it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and then turn away from following Him. Peter did not believe in the ‘once saved, always saved’ false teaching that these teachers promoted. He plainly stated that what overcomes a person and enslaves him brings bondage that can lead to great loss. He used two examples of the current culture to illustrate the danger. The first was a dog returning to his own vomit. That is really a disgusting picture! The second was a female hog that was washed but then returns to the mud wallow to roll around in the filth again! Peter’s illustrated letter was God breathed to get our attention!
Have you ever been enticed or taken in by a false teacher or an enticing teaching? Why would it be worse to have known the way of righteousness and then turn back? Does it shock you that God would use such graphic and worldly illustrations to describe those turning back to the world?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that Your love for us sent Your Son to identify with all our weaknesses and yet live free from sin. Thank You for Your mercy that brings understanding and correction through illustrations we can understand and see with our mind’s eye. Correct me vividly! Amen.