How The Mighty Have Fallen

Dec. 28

Read: 2 Peter 2:1-3

How The Mighty Have Fallen

“And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” (v.2)

False teaching often sounds feasible. It is appealing. More often than not, false teaching makes accommodations for what our fleshly desires want. This is why Peter says in these verses that “many will follow their sensuality”… false teaching and prophecy is “sensual”… it is “sexy”. Man it is dangerous when the people of God are duped into believing some “new and sexy” idea about Christ or the Gospel. Be cautious of these “new and shiny” ideas!

This process happens over time. The people of God don’t even realize it… like a frog in a pot of water being slowly brought to a boil: “false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…” (v.1) Why would these people “secretly” bring in destructive heresies? It is done secretly at first so that the people themselves may be manipulated… the goal of the false teacher is GREED: “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.” The people of God are being EXPLOITED by false teachers and prophets who are greedy for money, power, influence, fame, and building their own empire instead of the Kingdom of God. The false teachers way of leading accommodates their selfish desires. The “destructive heresy” is hidden underneath the “top layer” of teaching. This is why we must love one another enough to ask the “question behind the question”. We must be honest with one another … and ourselves… and ask what it is that is truly at the heart of a teaching. The heresy will be clothed in an appealing and “sensual” message until it is too late!

What is the end result of this false teaching and false prophecy? This sort of life will end with a person “bringing upon themselves swift destruction…Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” It is quite sad to look at the carnage of the last 20 years alone within the church. The stories of church leaders “flaming out” and bringing shame upon the name of Christ are too numerous to count. The ways that “pastors” have become detached from pastoring and shepherding is tragic if you ask me… more devoted to empire building than the care of those in their midst. They have gone from being “servant leaders” to being “leaders of servants”, exploiting the people they lead towards their own gain.

In the shadows… outside of the “limelight”… there are many TRUE teachers and prophets. More often then not they go unnoticed. They labor away for the Kingdom of God and care for people without any great fanfare. These leaders seek to put Christ FIRST and live for JESUS’s fame and glory… not their own! These are the leaders, teachers, shepherds, and prophets who need the support and care of the people. These are the men and women to follow. As the people of God, we need to stop rewarding “greed” and tolerating “blasphemy of the way of truth”. May the Lord give us keen senses and discernment to spot “secret heresy” and sniff out empire building as opposed to Kingdom of God building. May we love our leaders enough to hold them accountable for their words and actions. The Spirit within us will guide us. The word of God will lay bare the lies and heresy. Love you guys. - JDP