2 Peter 2:1-11

2 Peter 2:1-11

Our commitment to the word of God is critical because in every age there will rise up false teachers. Whenever the truth is proclaimed, there will be someone who will leave the truth for his or her own agenda. There is every reason to believe that these false teachers were once Orthodox believers. In the same way a cancer is more dangerous than an outside bacteria, so the perverted believer is a greater danger than an invasion from outside religions. “Swift destruction” doesn't mean it will happen soon but rather so quickly we will not see it coming. The two characteristics of the false teachers are that they pursued sensuality and greed. These are both their motivation for the wrong direction and the driving force for what they accomplish and continue to do. They cloak what they do or their motivation, but in their heart of hearts, they are focused on sensuality and greed.

Peter cites examples of the wicked and the doomed. First, fallen angels. Peter uses an unusual word in describing their doomed: “Tartarus.” This is the only use of the word in the New Testament. In Greek, Tartarus was a lower region of the place of the dead reserved for the especially wicked. The point is not cosmology, but rather that God can deal with angels mightier than the current false teachers and give them true justice. The second example is the world in the time of Noah. Even if the righteous represent a very small group, God will not miss them. Third, the expression of wicked sensuality is fully expressed in the events of Sodom and Gomorrah. Never doubt that false teaching will lead to sensuality and that sensuality will attempt to justify itself by more false teaching. Creating a downward spiral till it comes to its destruction. Lot is identified as having a righteous soul. Compared to his townspeople, he was righteous. We may see how he had begun to compromise, but the ruin had not taken full effect yet.

Verse 9 makes an incredibly interesting point and an important lesson. God knows how to rescue the godly from temptation or trial. This is the word used in the model prayer, “Lead us not into temptation” or trial. This word can mean testing to prove our faith or temptation that attempts to lure us away. This same circumstance can do either or both. But God is able to see us safely through the circumstances. Peter doesn't promise that God will rescue us from every struggle. Rather, he will keep us safe in the process.

“Lord, keep me by Your Word and Your Spirit. AMEN”