"But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 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 2:12-22
Chapter 2 of 2 Peter focuses in on the dangers of false prophets. Monday we discussed the first half of this chapter (check it out here) and today we want to dive into the second part of 2 Peter 2.
Verse 17 explains false prophets and their teaching as “waterless springs.” When I think of a waterless spring I see a desert oasis that has dried up in the heat. I can imagine traveling for miles in the desert, longing for a cool drink and seeing the outline of an oasis in the distance. If I could muster the energy, I would probably run to it! I also imagine the utter despair to find that the spring is waterless and can give no relief. That is exactly how the author describes false teaching and the frivolity of running toward them. We are left exhausted and disappointed. Verse 18 goes on to say, “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption.” There is no spiritual relief in the words of false prophets because they do not possess Living Water.
Verse 19 ties up the passage saying, “For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” It is so easy to become enslaved to fleeting things in our whirlwind culture. We must be diligent to take captive our thoughts, prioritize our time and evaluate our conversations so that we are not overcome with this sinful world.
In Biblical cultures, it was a high honor to be a servant close to important people. Amazingly enough, the Creator of the universe has graciously called us to be enslaved to Him. One of my dear friends said this week, “What an honor to be chosen as a servant for Christ. It would be a joy to be able to do even one thing for Him.”
How sweet to know that, unlike the enslavement of false teachings warned against in 2 Peter 2, Jesus offers truth that is steady and an abundant wellspring of life that brings more fulfillment than we can imagine. May we constantly seek truth to avoid deception in false teaching and may we be overcome with Jesus and enslaved to him - which will, in turn, bring true freedom.
What is something you could find yourself easily becoming enslaved to? Maybe it is a person, a sinful habit, food, bad language, money or even a certain lifestyle or goal. One thing that I have to intentionally control is my habit of compulsively checking social media. If I’m not careful, I will become a slave to the thought that my worth is dictated by what other people think of the pieces of my life that I choose to show them. I want to make sure I am not becoming a slave to any sin and instead I must strive to please my Master, Jesus Christ.
No comments
Post a Comment