! Hello and Welcome to a devotional Wednesday!
The theme is “Leaders of Deception.”
Key scripture: second Peter 2
Reference scripture: James 1:26 and Philippians 2:12 -13
God warns us that straight and narrow is the way that leads to heaven and wide and broad is the way that leads to hell (Matthew 7:13-14), and many there are that are in the broad way. Why does God warn us to be careful? The devil being who he is, the father of Lies, is hunting for souls and it is the reason why thee is much deception in the world. There is deception from the lowest to the highest level. There is deception of self, others, and the enemy. Even more there is deception in the church.
Here in 2 Peter 2, we learn and come see God warning and judgment against false prophets and teachers in the church. These so-called men and women of God are “wolves in sheep clothing” (Matthew 7:16, that bring deceptive teachings/doctrines that are divisive and destructive. God knows and sees how so many people in the world are being led astray/ exploited and made to stumble, falling even more into sin. God is saying in 2 Peter 2 that the evil works of these false prophets and teachers will surely be judged. The greater judgement will be against these deceptive leaders. Because God is a god of judgement; from the beginning, he has judged sin/rebellion/disobedience from the fallen angels down to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. The hope is that, God sees and knows the righteous, his people, he says he will rescue them (2 Peter 2:9). The Judgment left for these false teaches and prophets is great because they choose to leave God’s way and follow after their own self will and they sin openly with arrogance so much so as to make an insult to God.
These false teachers and prophets are not rooted or founded in the truth of Christ. Because they choose not to repent or live righteous and overcome with the flesh. Therefore it is as though they should no have even know the truth than to return to sin. This then shows that they are in the world and of the world. (1 John 4: 2-6).
Application to Life: I have personally encountered false prophets and teachers in my life, because of church jumping or seeking help. Also, there are popularly known false teachers and prophets out there. Now I see that any leader of the church must be looked at with a critical eye. Of course, through the lens of the holy spirit, God’s word, and their fruits. I thank Good that my faith is strong.
Prayer: Oh, heavenly Father, help me to see and be able to discern sound doctrine and preaching and be saved from false prophets and teachers.
Comments