2Peter 2: Beware Of Toxic Gospel, 2of7, Evans Olang

2Peter 2:1-22, “1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction”

In the bible, Jesus addresses extensively false teachers (prophets) in Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24; and so is Paul in 2Corinthians 11; and Peter in 2Peter 2; and in Titus 1; and John in 1John 4; in Jude 1. They kept sending warnings and even gave marks of such people. Peter here deals with the false prophets and he teaches us how to identify them so that we flee. These were not personal issues but doctrinal the same reason I address them. How sincere they are and many are is also not the issue, TRUTH is the issue. Peter and Paul could tolerate those who were hostile to them as long as they preached the gospel of Christ.

2Peter 2: Beware Of Toxic Gospel, 3of7, Evans Olang

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.

2Peter 2: Beware Of Toxic Gospel, 4of7, Evans Olang

2Peter 2:2, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” 

In asking why many follow the destructive ways of false teachers/prophets we addressed one aspect, 1). Biblical and theological illiteracy, lets look at another aspect.

2). Elevation of experience above the truth in the bible.

2Peter 2: Beware Of Toxic Gospel, 5of7, Evans Olang

2Peter 2:2, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” 

“…because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed”. The world mocks and scoffs at the gospel of Jesus Christ because of nominal Christians who do not follow the Lord they claim and have been unmasked as hypocritical people.

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the people love to have it so. The spreading of error will bring up an evil report on the way of truth; that is, the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The Christian religion is from the God of truth as the author, leads to true happiness in the enjoyment of the true God as the end, and works truth in the inward part as the means of acceptably serving God “ Matthew Henry.

2Peter 2: Beware Of Toxic Gospel, 6of7, Evans Olang

2Peter 2:3, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words;…” 

The more I study 2Peter 2, the more I find alot to share. 2Peter 2 and Jude portrays what is happening today especially with those associated with Word Faith movement, it’s like Peter and Jude just wrote these chapters yesterday. Now not all fit in what they talk about, majority do perfectly. And while not all televangelist fit in this, many are.

2Peter 2: Beware Of Toxic Gospel, 7of7, Evans Olang

Jude 1:3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” 

I conclude with Jude’s opening word right after his introduction and greeting, for it is the key to battling toxic gospel.

Jude had purposed to write about our common salvation; but he found it needful to exhort his readers to stand fast, guard, and contend (struggle, fight, defend) for THE faith once given to the saints. For already faith was being corrupted by the denial of the rights of Christ as Lord and Master; and thus, by giving the reins to self-will some abused grace. These are the two elements of the evil Satan introduced, 1. The rejection of the authority of Christ (not His name): and 2. The abuse of grace, in order to indulge their own lusts.