2 Peter 2:12-22

2 Peter 2:12-22

In the second half of this passage, Peter describes the depth of evil and the destruction of the false teachers. The extreme descriptions of these wicked teachers need to give us pause. We are often too eager to allow false teachers to have some influence because we feel that while mostly or partially wrong, they may have some helpful insight. Peter would hardly agree. In verse 12, Peter indicates that they have no value and are therefore bound for destruction. These false teachers were once lost in sin, but we're saved and redeemed by the cross of Christ. But for whatever reason they wanted to and indeed did return to a life of sin. We see here a thinly veiled reference to the three main temptations we all face. The flesh is the desire to experience more; this is expressed in gluttony, drunkenness, or, most frequently, sexual sensuality. We see this in verses 13-14. The phrase “eyes full of adultery” means everyone is seen as a sexual object, not an unfair description of our day. We also see a reference to the sin of the world in verse 14 as “hearts trained in greed.” The phrase “trained and greed” is descriptive of a person who has set forth a rigorous exercise program in craving. The point is not that they are trained in having but are trained in wanting. It is always about more. The third temptation is “pride”, the very temptation of Satan’s doom. With arrogant words of vanity, they teach freedom. This was part of Eve's fall; she would no longer be bound by God's law; she would be free. False teachers always advocate these three, usually with an emphasis on one or the other.

In verse 21, Peter utters a terrifying judgment. How could it have been better for them to have never known the Lord than to have known him and walked away? In this way, for the sinner, repentance is a possibility. But for these teachers, they have walked away. To do that, they have hardened their hearts; they have become apostate and are beyond repentance and return. Their situation is worse because they are so hard-hearted against God they can't even perceive the need to repent. So they continue on toward death and hell, and along the way they store up or pile up punishment for eternity by leading others astray. Wisdom would warn us to stay as far from these people as possible. 

“Lord, give me discernment to always steer far away from every false teacher. AMEN”