Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 170th Edition.
Dear Beloved Family,
We continue in today’s passage (2 Peter 2:18-19) with an expose of the real motivation behind the false teachers. This is a continuation of the discussion about Balaam, who “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2:15).
Pompous Speech (v. 18). The false teachers speak great but hollow words. The intention is to attract people through their lusts. If a preacher promises riches to his followers, his church will always be full. Some people have recently “escaped” from their error and are still not grounded in the faith. They fall prey to the false teachers because their talk sounds so promising. We must be careful what we listen to.
The teaching of scripture is that “godliness with contentment is great gain… But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts… Some have strayed from the faith in their greediness” (1 Timothy 6:6, 9, 10). It is equally hollow and vain for preachers to promise their congregations’ total health when even the apostles could not heal everyone (2 Timothy 4:20). But the lie is so attractive! Who does not want to be in good health? Beware, some preacher out there wants to take advantage of your sinful desires and needs.
Perilous Slavery (v. 19). The irony of the flowery promises of the false teachers is that they are slaves to “corruption.” They are promising to deliver you from bondage, while they themselves are bound by their lusts. The love of money of some preachers is simply legendary. Others cannot control their anger, not to mention their sexual immorality. How can the blind lead the blind?
Do not expose yourself to deception. “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9)
Your Loving Pastor Chris.