JUDE: WEEK 3 DAY 2
2 Peter 2:1-3
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 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
I love that Jude first quoted three Old Testament prophets in verses 14-16 that we studied last week. He then quoted three Apostles who wrote letters that would one day be in the New Testament in verses 17-19; one of these is the passage we read today.
Who are these false prophets and false teachers? They are people who come into the church or Christian community and pretend to be Christians, but like sly double agents, they change the message. They turn people away from the truth, while encouraging them to live in a way that reflects poorly on the church. Think of the child abuse scandals that ravaged the Roman Catholic Church. Or the pastor who uses his position of power to engage in sexual immorality. Or the preacher of prosperity doctrine who uses people’s offerings to fund a lavish and greedy lifestyle. These are horrible stories that make for loud headlines, but we must be alert to their more subtle “cousins.” Anyone who professes to have secret knowledge that leads people away from trusting in Christ alone, is a false teacher. Anyone who uses a position of spiritual authority as an avenue for sin is a false prophet. Anyone who teaches fellow Christians to compromise their relationship with Jesus with a sinful life is working for the enemy.
It is vital to examine the people and things that have spiritual influence over you. This includes your pastors, your leaders, your church, the books you read, the podcasts you listen to, etc. If anyone ever teaches a gospel that excludes Jesus or includes greed, sexual immorality, lust or debauchery, you must flee immediately.