2Peter 2:2, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed”
Much of what the world believes about Christianity is what they see mostly on the media; and anytime anyone says they are pastor or evangelist, they think of televangelism. You are considered one of them when you are not. And here comes the sad part, many follow their destructives ways.
Now these may not necessarily be non-believers, but believers too. Mark that Peter does not say few follow, he says many. This was a big concern for Paul too when he wrote to the Galatians, Galatians 1:6-9, vs. “6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (banned)”.
It is not easy to spot false teachers/prophets, they prey on their listeners primarily by what their listeners crave for the most, health and prosperity. While there is nothing wrong with these two in their right context, they are only byproducts not prime product of Christianity and they are not guaranteed.
Why do many follow their destructive ways? 1.) Biblical and theological illiteracy. If we don’t know the bible, if we don’t know doctrine, if we don’t know theology, it’s virtually difficult to identify false teachers/prophets. This is one reason we become uncomfortable when one identifies a false teacher/prophets. We lack spiritual maturity as described by the the writer of Hebrews. Read his diagnosis, “12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”, Hebrews 5:12-14.
If we don’t know the biblical gospel, we will follow their destructive ways. One way the false teachers /prophets are doomed is because of the way of righteousness. Peter in vs. 4-11, stresses this point of righteousness. Vs. 4”… but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly”, and vs. 7″ and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)”. In these two examples, we see Noah a preacher of righteousness, his life spoke righteousness as he called people to repent and avoid flood judgment. We then see righteous Lot, who had spiritual weakness but his heart was right with God. The issue is here is not that of happiness but that of righteousness, how to be made right with God.
Majority who say they are saved are unable to articulate what salvation is, why they are saved, and how they are saved. Therefore, few plumbline messages through the EYES of the GOSPEL. The gospel starts with the kingdom of God and what it entails; everything else is tested in the light of His kingdom. The kingdom of God is about righteousness, Psalm 89:14, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face”. Paul tells us in Romans 14:17-18, “17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men”. Christ did not die on the cross to make us happy, Christ died on the cross to make us righteous. This is the reason Isaiah 53:5 is not talking about physical healing primarily, it’s talking about spiritual healing. 2Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”. Proverbs 11:4, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death”
1Peter 2:24-25, “24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”
Do those you listen to preach righteousness, do they exalt Christ and His cross? Are they more concerned of giving you what you want in this life than preparing you for eternity? If we don’t know the word/gospel, we will definitely receive toxic gospel without discerning. 2Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”, Blessings Ev
He Has Magnified His Word 