2 Peter – Chapter 2

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1 – Peter was warning the church of a very present danger that was not only at their door, but likely already within their homes. False teachers. Men who would come into their churches and gatherings and deliberately speak and teach things that are contrary to the truth of scripture. Now they wouldn’t do this obviously, but secretly they’d weave in lies to the beliefs of the people so division would grow and lack of trust in God would appear. In today’s church we certain can find false teachers clearly preaching false things. Let us though also clearly see that false teachings can secretly be woven into our belief system if we aren’t careful. Influences, that aren’t based on the truth of scripture, will seek to distort the truth and cause us to belief its distortion as the new truth. Things like believing we don’t really have to seek reconciliation with people. Teachings that some “common” sins like worry aren’t that big of deal. To even teachings that we teach ourselves like it’s okay to let the busy schedule crowd out our time with God. Whether it was in the Old Testament or New Testament or in the world today, false teachers are secretly and subtlety weaving untruths into the church. Be willing to combat that deception with the truth of scripture. For if a teaching doesn’t line up with scripture, it’s not from God and shouldn’t be followed. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3284

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:18 – For those of us who have been Christians for awhile, it’s easy to forget how hard the life change is going from being an unbeliever to a committed follower of Jesus. That’s what we see being spoke of in this passage, that those who are new in the faith are being tempted by the world in so many ways to come back to their old way of life before God. We who are more mature in the faith need to step up our involvement within the lives of new believers. We need to be counseling them, talking with them about their temptations, and showing them what it looks like to grow up in their faith. Who is someone that is still quite immature in their faith that you know? How can you be more involved with their maturing? Remember they are in a crucial season of life, you can help them see how beautiful a mature life in God is. And bonus for you, one of the best ways to grow our faith is to help someone else grow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 747

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 2 Peter 2:17 – I’m sitting down today beginning my studies for Sunday’s message and find this chapter mirroring that of the main character in the chapter I’m studying. A waterless spring and a mist drive by a storm. There will be people that are going to seek to have a place of influence in your life. Some will be a spring full of fresh water that will be used to refresh you. Some though will plant themselves and pretend to be one of those good springs when in truth they have no water. They have nothing refreshing to give you because their purpose in your story is not to help you. It’s hard to accept this sometimes, but not everyone in your story is good for you. These are people that will offer you refreshment but only leave you thirsty. A simple way to figure out if someone is going to be healthy for you is look at how deep their walk with God is. The deeper their walk, the deeper their spring is of water. Those who come to God daily in His word, those who pray, those who serve and make their days about God’s mission, they are a spring of fresh water you want close. Yet those who have no real walk with God are a waterless spring, not even having enough water for their own life let alone giving you some. Yes, be close to those who fall more into the “waterless spring” category but for the purpose of you refreshing them. When it comes though to the people you’re finding support and wisdom on life from, make sure they first are being refreshed deeply by Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2009