Confronting Falsehood - 2 Peter 2:1-3, 10-22

by David Woods

The topic of our lesson today is concerning a subject that I would like to think would never be a problem for our churches. I think most Christians would also like to think the same thing. And that is part of the problem.

But what is the problem that we assume will not be a problem for our churches? False teachers - false teaching.

Am I not correct in thinking that we really believe false teaching should not be a problem for our churches? After all, most cults and false religions have discrepancies in their theology and practices that are glaring.

Unfortunately, though I would like to think false teaching would not be a problem for holiness churches, it is. I could recite to you several examples of cults deceiving good Christian people I have known.

Discussion: Why, do you think, are false teachings and false teachers so attractive?

Discussion: Our scripture text for this lesson contains an extreme condemnation of false teachers. Could we possibly be deceived by false teachers because they do not seem to be as bad as scripture paints them out to be?

1. Conduct of False Teachers, vv. 1-3.

One of the reasons you would think Christians would not be deceived by false teachers is because false teachers are those who are "denying the Lord."

Discussion: How are Christians deceived by those who deny the Lord?
(Usually false teaching attacks the credibility of the deity and humanity of Christ. This then calls into question to ability of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross to take care of our sin problem. Furthermore, the false teaching often offers advanced spiritual teaching that supposedly Jesus was unqualified to give. I think also the problem may be traced to a "lost love" for Christ - dabbling in sin, failing to go on to entire sanctification, etc.)

Read Revelation 2:4-5

Discussion: How can Christians regain their love for Christ?

Concerning the conduct of false teachers, Peter also say such people speak evil of "The Way."

Discussion: Why are Christians deceived by those who speak evil of the Church?
(Maybe the question should be, "Why do Christians tear each other down so much?" The writer of the "Working with the Word" section says the word "heresies" was often used to describe sects in the New Testament. He wonders if that when we make single issues a divisive matter in the Church if we are cultivating "heresies" among ourselves.)

Discussion: How can Christians develop a pride/love/unity/ for the Church and one another?

2. Characteristics of False Teachers, vv. 10-19.

I think these verses can be divided into three broad characterstic traits of false teachers.

a. They do not submit to authority, vv. 10-13.

The American Christian sometimes seems to be a confusing conundrum of the concepts of individuality and community.

Discussion: Does the Bible support the concept of individuality?
(Yes. As one example, the Bible teaches that each person has a free will to serve God or the devil.)

Discussion: What are the restraints of individuality?
(While we are to bear our own burdens, we are also to help lift other's crushing burdens. We are to not forsake the assembling of Christians together, etc.)

Discussion: What are some of the points that mark the difference between individual responsibility and a rebellion against authority?

b. They do not cease from sinning, vv. 14-16.

Sin, according to the Bible, should be a thing of the past for the Christian. However, in many churches, there seems to be a very lackadaisical attitude taken toward sinning. To me, it is implied that such an attitude was partly why false teachers were not exposed for who they were.

Discussion: How can we develop a holy intolerance for sin within our churches and especially Christian leadership?

c. They cannot satisfy the soul's hunger, vv. 17-19.

Discussion: Why would a person continue following a false teacher even though the hunger of their soul was not being satisfied?

I want to say this as kindly and respectfully as I can, but may I suggest the reason why false teaching and false teachers are so problematic to many is that those people are not really thinking about what they are being taught or told to do. They have shut their brain off.

Big Idea: Discerning false teaching requires diligent Christian thinking.

Our scripture very adequately exposes the ugliness of false teachers and false teaching. Yet false teachers and false teaching continues to thrive. This should not be.

Let us carefully examine the doctrine we are taught and the lives of those who lead us. Let us strive to live as Christ would have us live. Let us make the Bible our roadmap for life's highway. That's truly the best way and the smartest way to live!