FALSE PROPHETS AMONG THE PEOPLE--2 PETER 2:1-22

FALSE PROPHETS AMONG THE PEOPLE

2 PETER 2:1-22

Introduction:

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21-For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” These were “holy men of God” who spoke these words, as they were lead by the Holy Spirit of God.

Others have presumed to speak for God but with no authority from God. Our Lord warned us in Matthew 7:15 saying, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

These are those who prophesy “false dreams” as the Lord says in Jeremiah 23:32, “Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.”

I. MANY SHALL FOLLOW THEIR EVIL WAYS

A. They cause the way of truth to be “blasphemed” because of their evil ways, v. 2, “And many shall follow their pernicious [lacivious] ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

B. Many will not believe God’s Word because of these that preach falsehood, Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”

1. They use good words and fair speaches, Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

2. They are grievous wolves entering to destroy, Acts 20:29, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

3. God has pronounced judgement on these wolves, false pastors, Jeremiah 23:1, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.”

II. THESE FALSE PROPHETS HAVE FORSAKEN THE RIGHT WAY

A. They have followed the way of Balaam, v. 15, “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”

1. Balaam was a prophet of God called by a king to curse the people of God, Numbers 22:22-23, “And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23-And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.”

a. He loved the wages of Unrighteousness, Acts 1:18, “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.”

b. God used a donkey to rebuke him, v. 16, “But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.”

2. The Doctrine of Balaam, Revelation 2:14, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

3. These False Prophets became fools, Hosea 9:7, “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.”

B. These False Prophets walk after the Flesh, v. 10, “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”

1. They are Presumptuous [bold and confident to excess, highhanded], Numbers 15:30, “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”

2. They were self-willed [arrogant], Titus 1:7, “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;”

a. They are wells without water, Jeremiah 14:3, “And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.”

b. They are clouds that are carried with a tempest, Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

CONCLUSION

The Scriptures say in verse 9, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

The Lord always wins in the end. God will not allow Satan to win or God’s faithful people to lose. Psalm 34:15-17, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16-The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17-The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”