7 ways to spot a false Teacher

 Read 2 Peter 2.

Christianity has always been infiltrated by charlatans.  It remains one of the schemes of the devil to oppose the advancement of the kingdom of God.  They do not wear signs hanging around their necks stating, "I am a false teacher.  Do not listen to me."  Just the opposite is true.  They appear to be followers of Jesus and sound as if they are.  But, in truth, they are unbelievers, cloaked in religious garb and jargon, deceiving the unsuspecting.

The purpose of the writing of 2 Peter is to encourage believers to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  The prophet Hosea recorded the LORD's contention with His people: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6).  In other words, they did not know the truth of what God had said.  Even church attenders are taken in by false teaching because they are not growing in their knowledge of God's word.  As a result they are immature in their faith and are not able to discern the difference between truth and error. (Ephesians 4:14)

This chapter is filled with exact descriptors of false teachers.  It is important to note that no pastor or Bible teacher is without sin.  Occasionally, we may learn of a godly person who fell, overcome by some sin, and it became known.  Such a person is not who Peter has in mind here.  False teachers are those "who will secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them" (v.1).  They are not followers of Christ but posers.  Jesus died for them, as He did for all (John 3:16), but they act as ministers for their own benefit. 
1. They are SUBTLE. (v.1)
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So, it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
2. They are SENSUAL. (v.2)
Their teachings concerning immorality and marriage contradict what God's word clearly states.  They will dismiss the Bible's teaching concerning sexuality as either culturally irrelevant or as merely the human author's opinion.  This is done under the themes of acceptance and unity.  At the root is their own lust.
3. They are SALESMEN. (v.3)
The Greek word has to do with "an emporium".  They make merchandise of people for their own gain.  They equate godliness with prosperity and greed.
4. They are SELF-WILLED. (vv.10-13a)
Their words are presumptuous, arrogant, daring, and bold, even to the point of rebellion against authorities.  They reject any personal accountability for their theology, their finances, their behavior, their lifestyle, or their empty promises.
5. They are STAINS on the Body of Christ. (vv.13b-16)
Their misrepresentation of God's word and their sinful behaviors leave ugly marks on the ministry without shame.
6. They are SPEAKERS of empty promises. (vv.17-18)
They look good. They sound good.  They tell great stories.  They make people laugh.  They move them emotionally.  But what is the spiritual outcome?  Consistently, these liars give false, earthly hope to discouraged hearers based upon their own clever words.  Meanwhile, they omit the eternal hope that comes through faith alone in Christ.  Positive thinking and temporal prosperity will never relieve anyone of the awful burden of guilt for their sin.   
7. They are SLAVES to sin. (v.19)
These phonies preach freedom of one kind or another, when they are actually in bondage to their own passions.

Our defense against being deceived by any false teaching is to personally read, study, and be taught the truth of the Scriptures.  There is no substitute.  It is the foundation to growing in grace.

 

How to grow as a of Jesus

 Read 2 Peter 1.

The purpose of writing 1 Peter was to encourage those being persecuted because of their faith.  2 Peter was written to the same readers (3:1) to encourage them to keep growing in their faith.  "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (3:18)

In the opening verses the Apostle, "being carried along by the Holy Spirit" (1:21), taught some basics about growing in that grace and knowledge.

1. The Promises of Grace. (vv.3-4)
It is usually a surprise for a new believer to discover that God has already supplied "all" or "everything" we will ever receive or need to live a godly life.  That includes the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  "For He gives us the Spirit without measure." (John 3:34).  The clear teaching of the Bible is that we do not need more of God; He wants more of us!

We stand on these "great and precious promises" that the Lord has made to us.

2. The Practice of Grace. (vv.5-7)
Since everything we need to spiritually grow has been supplied, our responsibility is to put these things into practice.  "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith..."  Here is a list of seven habits of eternally effective people. 
-Step one is moral purity.  Without a personal commitment to rid one's life of all immoral behaviors the rest of this list will not result in life-change. 
-Knowledge referred to here is the information of God's word.  Without reading, studying, and being taught the Scriptures we would never know how to live as a Christian.
-Self-control means to master "desires, passions, especially sensual appetites".  Without it knowledge can lead to tyranny.
-Steadfastness is not a type of perseverance often described as gritting the teeth and toughing it out.  The Greek word is literally "a calm delight, a cheerful hopeful endurance".  Only one who possesses hope in Christ beyond this life can exhibit such a behavior. 
-Godliness, being pious, or living a life of piety is a good thing, according to the Bible.  Webster defines it as having respect and reverence for God.  This new life in Christ is to exhibit a consciousness of God's presence 24/7.
-Brotherly affection requires that believers treat each other as family.  We are to consistently demonstrate mutual concern and care for one another.
-Love that we learn from God is selfless, sacrificial, and acts in benevolent ways for other people.  This is particularly true when we loving act toward those who do not want it, perhaps do not deserve it, and could not return the favor.    Why?  Because that is how God treats us.  "But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

3. The Product of Grace. (vv.8-11)
The results are stated negatively in the text.  If we will practice these things and keeping growing in the use of them, we will become useful and fruitful for God!  What is more astounding is the statement in v.10: "...if you practice these qualities you will never fall."

 

4 promises for suffering Saints

 Read 1 Peter 5.

The Apostle Peter wrote this letter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to encourage believers who were suffering for their faith.  They endured great losses, and though they lived in exile, they continued to be persecuted.

"But what about me?" is a common and expected question for one to ask in such circumstances.  Rightfully so, hurting people want relief.  Healing, resolve, and answers to prayer do not always come immediately.  Most often, these things take time, if ever, in this life (Hebrews 11:39).  For the follower of Christ, it is the patient endurance through these tests that prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:7).

What we are to do.
So, what are we to do in the meantime?  There is a list of five action items provided in verses 6-9.  The marvelous truth contained in verse 7 is "...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  It is the unyielding trust in our unchanging Lord that sustains us through every trial.

What God will do.
In verse 10 is the ultimate encouragement for suffering saints.
We recognize that the impacts of all losses are temporal and at worst for "a little while".  Our hope is fixed in "the God of all grace" who loves us and is working out His eternal plan in and through us.  Among His many promises to followers of Jesus include these four actions from the Lord.  Notice how personal these actions are.

1. He will restore you.
When one is suffering a loss, they want back what was taken or replaced with something even better.  This is not necessarily a material restoration, though God restored to Job a double amount after his suffering (Job 42:10).  Most often, in this life, what is of even more value is the emotional healing that is needed to make us feel whole again.  He is "the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).  In addition, the rewards that await us will make all these earthly losses quickly fade from memory.  Those gains will never be taken away.

2. He will confirm you.
When one is suffering a loss, they will normally experience some doubts about their faith and their future.  Not only confidence of faith but self-confidence can easily waver.  In 2 Peter 1, our standing with God is confirmed as we practice the godly qualities found in verses 5-10.  Endurance means we keep going even when we do not feel like it.  As we maintain our spiritual disciplines, God confirms His word and His love to us.

3. He will strengthen you.
When one is suffering a loss, they will often have feelings of weakness and helplessness.  Memorize some of God's promises.  "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10)

4. He will establish you.
When one is suffering a loss, they will feel unsettled.  The foundations of their life have been shaken.  It is in these times that our faithfulness in every direction is being tested.  "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor in not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

 

Serving while Suffering

 Read 1 Peter 4.

As Peter sought to encourage those who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ, he wrote: "For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (2:21)  "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)

This is not something that comes as a result of our wrong behavior but solely because of our faith and stand for Jesus.  In 3:15-16, believers were instructed how to share their faith in the midst of rejection and not back down when challenged.  Here in chapter four the instruction concerns how to keep serving Christ in such an environment.

1. Arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. (vv.1-6)
Literally, "arm" means "to equip with weapons".  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 states, "The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." 

2. Be self-controlled. (v.7a)
Even the apostles had to discipline themselves in order to maintain integrity while serving Jesus.  "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27)

3. Be sober-minded. (v.7b)
In 5:8, Peter wrote, "Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  Satan wants you!  If he cannot keep a believer out of heaven, his desire is to discourage us to slow or stop our service for Christ.

4. Keep loving one another earnestly. (v.8)
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." (1John 4:12)  When we love each other as we should, the people around us see God in us.

5. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (v.9)
Hospitality is a requirement of church leaders (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).  In addition, all believers are told to practice hospitality.  "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13)  The word refers to entertaining strangers, or being fond of guests.  In other words, a true follower of Jesus likes to have people in their home.

6. Use your gift to serve one another. (vv.10-11)
At salvation, the Holy Spirit endows each believer with a special spiritual ability to serve Christ effectively.  Every genuine Christian has a spiritual gift and these are not for personal use.  "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."  (1 Corinthians 12:7)  We do not have to seek it.  He "apportions to each one individually as he wills." (1 Corinthians 12:11)  Our responsibility is to get busy and use what God gave us.

7. Rejoice as you share Christ's sufferings. (vv.12-18)
The Apostle Paul endured countless hardships and sufferings for Jesus.  Yet, his desire was "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death..." (Philippians 3:10)  Suffering for Christ is not an end in itself.  There are rewards waiting for those who are faithful.  God is preparing the day when He will exalt us with Christ.  "...provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." (Romans 8:17)

8. Entrust your soul to a faithful Creator while doing good. (v.19)
In Daniel 3:16-28, three young men stood firm in their faith against an ungodly government persecution.  The men trusted God no matter what and the result was a death sentence.  Countless believers have paid for such a commitment with their lives.  But in this case, the LORD performed a miracle.  They had boldly honored God and He honored them with a personal appearance.  The king saw Jesus!

Serving Christ is never about us.  It is always for the benefit of others so they may see Jesus.

 

4 commitments for telling our Story

 Read 1 Peter 3.

One of causes of personal suffering may come when a Christian shares their faith with an unbeliever.  Sometimes the result is experiencing the pain of rejection and/or the loss of a relationship.  Again, Peter wrote to those who were being persecuted and suffering because they were genuine followers of Jesus.  It was not their fault.  It was not their message.  They simply placed their eternal faith in Christ and sought to live accordingly.

If one attempts to speak the good news of Jesus in an unkind or untactful manner, the rejection will probably be due to their behavior, not the gospel.  Dr. Bill Bright used to say that people are not gospel hardened as they are gospel ignorant. 

So, how can we tell others of what we have discovered in Jesus in the best possible way?  Here are four phrases that set the standard.
1. "Honor Christ in your hearts as holy." (v.15a)
Do not fear "them".  Fear God.  He is bigger than they are.  Peter is actually paraphrasing Isaiah 8:13.  Honor the Lord as the One who is sovereignly in control, even when (especially when), it does not appear to you that He is in control.  God is holy.  His truth is pure.  He makes no mistakes.  We are to be His obedient servants.

2. "Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." (v.15b)
Why do you believe in Jesus?  Why do you choose to believe the Bible is true?  Can you take your Bible and show someone?  Are you ready?  That does not mean every Christian must be a Biblical scholar.  It does mean that a follower of Jesus should be prepared to tell their story.  A believer's personal experience of life-change is undeniable by anyone!  You are the expert on "the reason for the hope that is in you."

3. "...yet do it with gentleness and respect..." (v.15c)
That is still is not a guarantee of another person receiving Christ or that they will not reject you.  Building relationships, being prepared, and honoring God in our behavior will put us in the strongest position for the Lord to use us.

4. "...having a good conscience..."
In this context that means, even years later, we may look back upon the conversation and have no regrets about the way we presented the gospel.  We cared about the other person and their eternity.  We were gentle and respectful.  We said and did the right thing.  This was the Apostle Paul's commitment also.  "So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man." (Acts 24:16)

7 identities of those who follow Jesus

 Read 1 Peter 2.

Writing to Jews living in exile due to their faith in Christ, Peter's letter encouraged them in their time of suffering.  After reminding believers of what God has already provided, the message moves to who we are in Christ.

Many similes are used in the Bible to describe those who trust Jesus as Savior.  Among them are the family of God, the household of faith, the Church (or called out ones).  Here, we have seven more identities, each is rich with meaning.

1. A living stone. (v.4)
Precious gems are mere pretty rocks, dead, earthly.  Once a person believes in Jesus, they become spiritually alive for eternity.  We living stones are precious to God and are being used for His planned construction project for the kingdom of God.

2. A spiritual house. (v.5a)
Christ is the Cornerstone of this "building" project (vv.6-8).  In masonry, the cornerstone, or sometimes called the foundation stone, is the first stone set in place.  It is crucial because all other stones will be set in alignment to that one.  Jesus is the standard by which this spiritual house is measured.  Ignoring this fact, rejecting God's plan, and trying to build one's life apart from Jesus will only cause a person to stumble and fall.

3. A holy priesthood. (v.5b)
When the Old Testament Law was changed so was the priesthood. (Hebrews 7:12)  With Jesus as our High Priest, New Testament believers in Jesus are the priests who now offer spiritual sacrifices: of themselves (Romans 12:1), of praise (Hebrews 13:5), of good works (Hebrews 13:6), and of generosity (Hebrews 13:16).

4. A chosen race. (v.9a)
When God chose the descendants of Abraham in Genesis 12, it included a blessing for all nations.  Personal faith in Christ brings us into the enjoyment of that blessing.  It is the redemption of the curse of our sin, purchased on the cross.  (Galatians 3:13-14)  Believers, Jew and Gentile alike, are now one in the family of God.

5. A royal priesthood. (v.9b)
Hebrews 7:11-12 explain that the Old Testament High Priest and his priests of necessity were of the tribe of Levi by birth.  But, Jesus was humanly of the tribe of Judah, the royal lineage of Israel.  As the new and everlasting High Priest, His followers must be born again into His family to serve as priests to God.  Therefore, we shall rule and reign with Him in His kingdom.

6. A holy nation. (vv.9c-10) 
We are a people group set apart for God Himself, "his own possession".  We are twice His: once by creation and then by redemption.

7. Sojourners and exiles. (vv.11-12)
Literally, these terms describe believers in Jesus as being without citizenship, traveling in a foreign land.  This was true of those to whom this book was originally written (1:1).  This world is not our home.  Our true citizenship is in heaven. (Ephesians 2:18-22)

Do not miss why God has done this for us?
"...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (v.9d)

 

To those who are Suffering

 Read 1 Peter 1.

The book of 1 Peter was written to Jewish followers of Jesus who left Israel due to persecution.  They fled to the northern Roman Provinces which comprise modern day Turkey.  They experienced the loss of their homeland, their homes, their friends, etc. only to discover that the Roman government under Nero was committed to ridding the Empire of Christians.

The teachings and principles of 1 Peter may be applied to most any suffering that we did not bring on ourselves.  If one suffers due to something they did wrong, then that is another story.  This book is targeted for those believers in Jesus who are experiencing adversity when it was not their fault.  All of us endure times of relational misunderstandings, economic turn downs, the death of a loved one, and so on; things that are totally out of our control.  No one signs up for such suffering.  It will find you.

Question: What has God provided for those who are suffering? (vv.3-5)
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter reminded his readers of four unchanging provisions from the Lord.
1. We have God's great mercy.
Mercy is not receiving what we deserve.  In the midst of trials, we are tempted to think, "I deserve better than this."  But the truth is if we got what we deserved we all would be in hell today.  God's mercy sustained these persecuted followers of Christ through it all.

2. We have a living hope.
All religions and philosophies of this world are based upon man-made ideas.  The persons who made them up are now dead.  And, those who place their hope in those ideas are going to be sorely disappointed at the end of their lives.  Christians are unique in our beliefs.  Our hope is a living one, based upon our resurrected, living Savior.  That hope will only get better and better in our future.

3. We have an eternal, unchanging inheritance.
Believers are part of God's family.  All that belongs to Christ is ours.  One day we will leave all our earthly possessions behind.  Our inheritance and what God has in store for us is much more than we can imagine.

4. We have God's power guarding us.
We are being kept by God for that day when we will receive our full inheritance in Christ.  We did not save ourselves and we cannot be good enough to keep ourselves in the faith.  The Holy Spirit has sealed us until the day of our redemption out of this world.

It is knowing and being assured of these four things that Peter can write, "In this you rejoice" (v.6).  Such times of suffering are temporary and are tests of the genuineness of our faith (v.7).