2 Peter: Know the Truth
Thursday, October 21
2 Peter—Know the Truth
Today’s reading: 2 Peter 2: 15-18
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophets’ madness. These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words, and by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are escaping from those who live in error.
When I think about false prophets, the image that comes to mind is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. So you pair that with our scripture today that mentions “talking donkeys” and it may seem a bit like a fairy tale – but there’s nothing imaginary about Peter’s words and the warnings that they bring.
In 2 Peter, we can see that Peter was really worried. He saw false prophets taking advantage of the “people who are escaping from those who live in error.” The “ones escaping” were the baby Christians who had happily discovered the Gospel, but who didn’t know enough to discern God’s truth from the false prophets’ lies.
Peter uses Balaam as an example of a false prophet to illustrate his point. You see, the Jewish people would have been very familiar with the story of Balaam and his donkey from the Old Testament. Peter describes Balaam as someone who “loved the wages of wickedness.” Balaam was both prideful and coveted riches. Arrogantly, he considered himself to be one of the great prophets and figured that, as such, he had the authority to speak and act on his own. He misused his privileges as God’s prophet for the chance to make a lot of money. He made a tentative deal with King Barak to be paid handsomely for cursing the Israelites instead of blessing them. Enjoying his power, he kept stringing the king along saying that he needed to hear more from God. Annoyed, God literally stopped Balaam in his tracks.
Peter said that false prophets like Balaam “are springs without water and mists driven by a storm.” Springs without water? Well…those would be non-existent springs because they are missing the essence of what makes them springs—the water. Jesus promised that “Whoever believes in me,... rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38). Jesus is the living water inside us. Both Jesus and His words are life. On the contrary, false prophets have dry, empty words. They pretend that they are offering freedom, but in reality imprison their followers. “Mists driven by a storm” are a fog that resembles a rain cloud but contains no rain. It is quickly dissipated by a strong wind. Again, false prophets have no substance to what they preach and those who follow them are left with nothing—no faith, no hope.
In today’s world we need to be as alert to false prophets as Peter was. We need to know the truth! False teachings are everywhere and are even being sent right into our homes via the internet and television. (Actually right into our hands if you think about it via our phone.) We need to be as determined as Peter was in recognizing those who are not speaking and living in the truth of the Gospel. We need to ask God for the spirit of discernment and believe what James 1:5 tells us, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Father, forgive us for the times we are oblivious to the tactics of false prophets. Give us the spirit of discernment so that we can immediately separate Your truth from Satan’s half-truths and lies. Protect us from being swayed or confused and make us alert to when we, as well as the others around us, are being targeted by deceit. Give us boldness like Peter to stand up against false prophets and point to the truth that only comes from You. In Jesus’ Name and for the Father’s Glory, Amen.
Audio of 2 Peter Chapter 2 https://youtu.be/8Kco_Hj-uJM
