Self-Denial 2023: The Myth Of Freedom
For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
2 Peter 2:18-19 (NKJV)*
The entire chapter of 2 Peter 2 warns new believers about false teachers. Note: Peter’s not talking about the 'bad guys' of the world, of whom we’re tempted to think, 'They're going to hell in a handbasket.'
(God forbid thoughts such as these within us!)
He has different hopes and plans for them. He 'Desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth' (1 Timothy 2:4). Even more: 'Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master, he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand' (Romans 14:4).
Let’s remember who Jesus came to save: 'The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost' (Luke 19:10), and we're commanded to follow His lead. That's a love walk and NOT a sinner's stomp. So don't get confused.
In 2 Peter 2, God is referring to the false prophets within His new church. Sadly, some Christians follow them… not Him:
'For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables' (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Therefore, 'Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good' (1 Thessalonians 5:21), including pastors, preachers, and teachers.
To follow good ones is to follow Christ along a challenging and narrow path.
But to follow the most alluring ones ones is to walk a broad and popular path. It’s a deceptively slippery slope that’s oh-so-slowly… spiraling downward.
How to know them? Examine their lifestyle.** The denial of self that Jesus taught and exampled every day of His Life will not be taught or exampled by them. The freedom they show and tell is a myth.
Self-Denial 2023: The Myth Of Freedom (Part 4)
* The entirety of 2 Peter 2 is devoted to false prophets and false teachers who were rising up in the new church: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202&version=NASB
** The most fool-proof way to false teachers is to read and know the Bible yourself. How else can you compare their words to His?
NOTE: This is a 2022 update of a 2012 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.