“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”
2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT
Peter starts 2 Peter 2 with the spotlight turned on prophets and teachers. And he adds the damning indictment of “false”. But how do these people get to such a position? A teacher, in particular, has a very powerful position in any church, because he or she will say things that many people will believe, particularly if what they say is plausible and apparently backed by Scripture. Some people are attracted to a position of power – just look at many of our politicians. And as we know, power can have a corrupting influence. It brings with it feelings of invincibility and superiority.
Teachers will research their material and then expound their conclusions. And it is easy to see how churches and fellowships can become skewed by particular teaching that, although not wrong, over-emphasises some subjects and doctrines over others. A quotation from David Pawson, “building doctrine on only part of what the Bible says on a given subject leads to imbalance and extremism, with unfortunate practical results“. That is why a plurality of leaders and teachers is essential in any gathering of believers. The overall goal is to do what Jesus commanded – make disciples and build up the body of believers in the faith. But this is not what Peter was warning about. He was bringing into the light the problem that some teachers “will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them”.
False teaching is based on lies and deceit. And we know that the source of all lies is the devil. Jesus, in a conversation with the people around Him, and because they were rejecting Him as being God’s Son, pointed out, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
False teachers run the risk of having God’s protective covering removed from them. There are those who quote Psalm 121, “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. … The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. … The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever” (Psalm 121 3, 5, 7-8). And they then think that they can enjoy God’s physical protection. But physical safety from calamities does not fit in with New Covenant theology. No – God’s covering refers to spiritual protection. When we believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit immediately enters our lives. We are sealed for eternity and brought under God’s spiritual protection from that moment on. But by heretical lies entwined within false teaching, the teacher will be in danger of voiding such protection. The consequences will be as Peter warned, “their destruction will not be delayed”.
We must also bear in mind that our eternal salvation can be threatened, as Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” I know these verses may not sit easily with those who maintain “once saved always saved”, but Peter seemed to think that false teachers, who may have started their life as believers, have fallen into error and consequently ensured that things for them won’t end well.
We pilgrims follow in the light of Psalm 25:3-5, “No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you“. If God teaches us, we are truly receiving the right teaching.
False teachers will come to a sad end. They may be sincere. They may even be able to quote Scriptures to justify and support what they are teaching. But it is essential that they minister as part of a team, allowing other Godly men to keep them right. A long time ago, I discovered that a church leadership needs covering and accountability, provided by other men and women outside their church. Therein lies a place of safety, both for the teachers and for the flock.
Dear Father God. Teach us, we pray, to follow Your way of truth in all that we do or say. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 