Monday 1/5/2026 Devotional
08/01/26 10:26
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…
2 Peter 2:1
Yep. God knew about it all ahead of time and warned us, didn’t He? False teachers, driven by sensuality, bringing in destructive heresies, have arisen through the years.
The Greek word hairesis originally meant a “choice,” or a “thing chosen.” So a heretic, in this sense, was simply someone who chose to embrace a lie, a false teaching about God, instead of taking God at His Word and following what the Bible says.
These false teachers often employ convoluted reasoning and high-sounding arguments to justify their sensual lifestyle. They aren’t stupid people; they’re often highly intelligent, charismatic leaders, so they are able to gather a following of people who are often fanatically dedicated to them and their teaching.
Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
II Peter 2:2
They then exploit their followers, to support the sensual lifestyle to which they have secretly committed themselves. Such behavior is expensive.
”In their greed they will exploit you with false words…”
2 Peter 2:3
God promises that He will take care of such false teachers: “Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
2 Peter 2:3
But the false religions they invent often remain, and for years and sometimes centuries after they are gone, their lies continue to deceive and destroy many.
God let us know about them but He hasn’t kept them from appearing. He has His own reasons for allowing that. (In II Thessalonians 2 He tells us that when people refuse to believe the truth of His Word, He will let them believe a “strong delusion” instead.)
How can I know what’s true and what’s not? How do I know I’m not being led astray by a false teacher?
Simple answer: keep your thumb in the Book. God’s Word is true; you can depend upon it. Know your Bible and compare what you hear with what the Bible actually says, not just with what they tell you it says.
Lord, give me clear understanding of Your Word, and a heart that responds in genuine repentance when it convicts me of sin, and clings with true and living faith to Your promises. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles
2 Peter 2:1
Yep. God knew about it all ahead of time and warned us, didn’t He? False teachers, driven by sensuality, bringing in destructive heresies, have arisen through the years.
The Greek word hairesis originally meant a “choice,” or a “thing chosen.” So a heretic, in this sense, was simply someone who chose to embrace a lie, a false teaching about God, instead of taking God at His Word and following what the Bible says.
These false teachers often employ convoluted reasoning and high-sounding arguments to justify their sensual lifestyle. They aren’t stupid people; they’re often highly intelligent, charismatic leaders, so they are able to gather a following of people who are often fanatically dedicated to them and their teaching.
Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
II Peter 2:2
They then exploit their followers, to support the sensual lifestyle to which they have secretly committed themselves. Such behavior is expensive.
”In their greed they will exploit you with false words…”
2 Peter 2:3
God promises that He will take care of such false teachers: “Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
2 Peter 2:3
But the false religions they invent often remain, and for years and sometimes centuries after they are gone, their lies continue to deceive and destroy many.
God let us know about them but He hasn’t kept them from appearing. He has His own reasons for allowing that. (In II Thessalonians 2 He tells us that when people refuse to believe the truth of His Word, He will let them believe a “strong delusion” instead.)
How can I know what’s true and what’s not? How do I know I’m not being led astray by a false teacher?
Simple answer: keep your thumb in the Book. God’s Word is true; you can depend upon it. Know your Bible and compare what you hear with what the Bible actually says, not just with what they tell you it says.
Lord, give me clear understanding of Your Word, and a heart that responds in genuine repentance when it convicts me of sin, and clings with true and living faith to Your promises. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles
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