What about those liars?

Humanity seems prone to be duped. Why do we elect politicians when we know they will not keep their promises? Why do we pay for concert tickets when we know the performers spend their earnings on debauchery? Why do we buy cheap stuff when we know it will not last very long? Why do we swallow pills that we know have the potential to kill us? Why do we marry charming people without morals? Why do we argue with God?

Peter was the most interesting disciple of Jesus Christ. He opened his mouth when he should have kept quiet. He said he would never forsake Jesus then denied Him three times. Yet finally he got it. He saw truth in action, heard it verified, experienced it and realize its value. He was convinced and would agree that unless a person is mentally ill or delusional, personal experience has great value in learning what is true and what is not.

Peter was on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before him. This disciple saw His glory and heard God say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” He also said that God’s Word was “more fully confirmed” than even that vision and urged his readers to pay attention. He gave a good reason . . .

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 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. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words . . . . (2 Peter 1:20–2:3)

Peter knew the truth. He also knew that false prophets existed then and would be among God’s people in the future. He was right. They are in churches, seminaries, and Bible schools. They are driven by lust for personal gain and many of them get what they want because gullible people send them money and fund their extravagant lifestyle, feeding also their desire for influence and social acceptance. Some create fear in their followers who are led to believe they must conform or they will suffer great loss or even perish in hell.

This is the reality of truth; it is opposed. This happens because it is part of human sin nature to say NO to whatever God says. In our world, God values human life; our laws fine people heavily for destroying turtle eggs and yet give the okay to destroy unborn humans. God values moral conduct; our society demands the right to do whatever. God calls us to worship Him and our culture forbids Bible reading and prayer in schools, posting Scripture in public places, and frowns if anyone bows to Him in sporting events.

Peter goes on to say this about the fate of false teachers:

 . . . Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly . . . but spared righteous Lot . . . then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones . . .  (2 Peter 2:3–10)

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Jesus, this passage goes on to describe their activities and their awful end. It is a warning to them, but more a warning to me also. I’m not to be caught in their trap but instead know what the Word of God says and follow it with all my heart, and gladly! For this, I need to really listen and value truth. It is not always easy to defend, but as a wise man once said, if truth is allowed to do battle, it will always win!

Today’s thankful list . . .

- today’s message on having a ‘third ear’ — the kind that hears and heeds God.

- fellowship with other Christians.

- dinner out at a restaurant that knows how to cook with no salt.

- time to relax, rest and feel restored.

- my wonderful spouse!