2nd Peter 2:17-22 WORDS OF FALSEHOOD The use of words is probably the most precise way of communicating we are able to use. Tone of voice, facial expressions, the use of our hands and our "body language" all pass on to others, how what we have to say or what we hear, affects us. The information we need is best passed on by words either spoken or written. The spoken words we hear can communicate passion or lack of it. The written words of the Bible are God's chosen way to teach us things He wants us to know and remember. His words are true, tried and precious when we read them and act upon that which we learn from them. "Thy words were found and I did eat them, and they became unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver." The response of faith to the word of God brings warmth and joy to our soul; guidance and common sense to the activities of our lives; instruction from the past and hope for the future.
Then there are the deceptive, eloquent, contemporary words of false teachers that promise much and produce little. With an excellent vocabulary, well researched phrases designed to impress listeners with their knowledge, and an appealing presentation, false teachers overcome the minds and reason of people with their ardor and impetuosity. However, when they have concluded their moving dissertation, and the applause is over, and a listener is asked, "Exactly what did he say?", there is a blank look and fumbling for words with which to reply. These are like springs with no refreshing water to satisfy the seeking soul who is thirsting for God. How great a contrast is the words of our Lord Jesus when He said, "The water that I shall give is a well of water springing up into everlasting life." The Savior spoke plain words that could be understood by a soul in need.
False teachers talk about "liberty and freedom" from the doctrinal and moral restraints taught in Bible- believing churches who teach the word of God. They throw out challenges to defy those who "Tell you what to do," just because it comes from the Bible. Some who listen to what Bible teachers say and comment something like, "I tried that and it didn't work for me." Or "I used to believe that stuff I was brought up under, but now I am free to do what I want and believe what I want." A spring without water refreshes no one. An empty cloud that is blown with the wind but drops no rain is a disappointment because it gives only a false hope as it passes overhead. Great swelling words that have no substance are a disappointment. "Words of vanity" are empty words designed to impress people with the intellectual expertise of the speaker, but have value nor substance and cannot meet the spiritual needs of the listeners.
The gloomy "mists of darkness" is where those who falsely teach immature hearers the way to a "new revelation" of light. Those who giver heed to their "great swelling words" will be lost forever. "Hell is Darkness, deep and Awful," even though the words of falsehood will deny the existence of, and truth of hell and the lake of fire being ahead of those who are without Christ. Those who preach such things will often claim to get "further revelations" and will adapt some new idea to what they have already taught. The fog of confusion "blinds the minds of them that believe not" as Satan uses these false teachers to keep people from putting their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who present false doctrines are often very eloquent speakers who use Bible terms and religious oratory to impress people. Unusual words linked with modern "buzz words" give the impression that the false teachers are up-to-date and are so unlike the "old fogies" who use archaic Bible terms, verses and illustrations. Most people do not know the Bible well enough to "try the spirits" (test the teaching) and determine if the words spoken and propaganda written are consistent with biblical Christianity. Consequently, people by the millions are settling for pseudo-Christianity based on strange doctrines that may even lead them to clean up their lives and conform to what is socially accepted as okay. They have not been "transformed by the renewing of your minds, that they might know the good and perfect and acceptable will of God."
Manipulation of the minds of people by the "servants of corruption" can turn people into the bondage and corruption of sin rather than the freedom that comes from God. The success of falsehood depends on the eloquence and charisma of speakers who appeal to the old nature that lusts after sin. There is a battle for the minds of people going on all the time. The forces of falsehood are controlled by the god of this world who "blinds the minds of the that believe not." One who speaks for God will not tell people they are "basically good" and God needs them in His family. He loves them it is true because He is the Creator but does not tell them they are His children because they are human, and so they should start living better to please Him. A true preacher and teacher will tell people plainly that they are sinners in need of a Savior. He will tell them plainly of the consequences of sin. He will make sure they know the holy God will punish sin and will not have those who love and live in sin in heaven. In a loving way a true teacher and preacher will explain the need of a sinner, the need and way of repentance toward God and why the death of Christ alone is the acceptable remedy for sin. There is no forgiveness with God until sin has been faced and dealt with. The sacrifice of Christ alone is the only way sin can be paid for.
Communication and manipulation are very different. To communicate faith means one passes on to another truth that can be expressed. To express truth, is to speak in a way that is easily understood, and to give a basis on which convictions can be built. The false teachers appeal to immature people who do not understand spiritual things, and offer false freedom, based on false promises that create false hope. A "promise " of liberty by a person who is in bondage themselves places both speaker and hearer in the condition of slavery to sin. One in bondage to the sin of covetousness for money, easily falls for the false teaching of the "prosperity gospel." One can be in bondage to sexual sins in the mind, on the internet, in books and movies, or even want to carry out their fantasies. False teachers often do the same and they say, "That is only normal. Everyone does it and it is not against the law." Pride of place, face or race as well as the desire for fame is bondage that entangles people, and ends much worse than it began. Sin may promise freedom but it produces the iron bands of bondage in life and bondage in death - and for eternity. People can become captives even to their own habits, dreams and ideas.
Real freedom is when we are free to be the best we can in life and be with Christ forever. To be able to do the will of God from the heart is true freedom in life. When we are able to "glorify God in our body and spirit which is His," this has the potential of true freedom. To know and do the truth makes us free. It is truly liberating when we have the God-given power to live by faith, grow in grace and do God's will. The more we experience this in life, the more freedom we enjoy. The counterfeit reforms that false teaching promotes when there is no repentance toward God nor faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, leads to more sin and greater condemnation. One who knows and love God more and more overcomes the desire to disobey God.
When people know what is right and turn away from it, that religious experience to "freedom" will end up worse that that which they had at the first. Like a dog that feels bad inside and vomits, and then turns and eats it again, so those who have no spiritual new birth will not really change in themselves nor what they feed on. Like a pig that has been cleaned up on the outside, until the nature is changed by the Spirit of God, those who "clean up their act" will go back again to the mud. The nature is still the same even though the lifestyle may be cleaned the spiritual strength to please God is not there. A person may feel better or more "comfortable" like a dog; or look better like a clean pig, more "holy", but without being born again by the Spirit through the word, he or she is still the same as before. That person may have been told, "You are saved!" but imagine their disappointment and shame when they face the fact, they are the same and maybe worse than before. Freedom in Christ comes from within and is not false freedom. A child of God has been made a partaker of the divine nature and has power over sin. Sin not longer "has dominion" over that person. Just because one says they are saved doesn't make it true. God saves us. We are born again by the Spirit of God. We are joined to Christ.
2Peter 2:21. "For it has been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” DANGEROUS MEN.
There is nothing new about this; this kind have been around for a long time. Suggesting – questioning – undermining – challenging God and His Word. This started with the devil in the perfect conditions of Eden. Heretics – self-opinionated in their arrogance – sneaking in as teachers of truth. Lascivious – covetous – presumptuous; unjust – unkind – unclean Corrupt – contemptuous –callous – condemning – careless – calculating.
There is nothing good about this; it ruined the Garden of Eden – It ruined the whole human race – sin’s wages are real – death passed upon all men. Enoch warned – testified - spoke about the Lord’s coming – he lived – others died. Men who knew the way, brought ruin on the earth in Noah’s day. Judgment fell because of dangerous men who knew better – didn’t listen to Noah They heard the words of salvation – ignored – chose to be ignorant still.
Abraham lived a separated life – lived a stranger’s life as light in the world. Others? Lived ungodly – an example to those who chose the wrong way. Filthy in their minds – filthy in their words – polluting morally all they come across. Unclean in their actions – despisers of those in authority – self- centered to the extreme. Opposers of things they know nothing about – challenging – dividing – deceptive. Not satisfied until you are unsatisfied – not quitting till disaster strikes.
Apostate in their unbelief – enjoying what is evil – minds blinded to the truth. Shifting about in posture – shifting eyes moving side to side – not willing to stop. Words that sound good – ideas galore – promises that are impossible. Not stopping to consider – day after day agitating – questions without answers. Answers without questions – promising freedom not knowing what it is. Wanting others to wallow in filth – wanting others to be in vomit themselves.
AVOID THESE DANGEROUS MEN AT ALL COST TO YOURSELF!
“O Holy God: the dangers are always near us but often we miss the signs. Give me enough insight to discern potential evil in events and people. Keep me from seeing evil behind every bush. Do not let me become paranoid over every little glitch that might appear in my view. I must anoint my eyes with the heavenly eye-salve. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”