Today’s reading is 2 Peter 2

Tom writes:

“I watched a really good video online the other day. This preacher was opening up some really deep truths…” Sound familiar? With the increasing availability of all kinds of teaching on the internet this chapter is more important than ever. We want to be open to learn from many people in many places and the internet is a blessing in that. But, continuing the guide-dog metaphor, a genuine risk in exile is that you accidentally grab a lead connected to the wrong dog. Perhaps someone will even put the wrong lead in your hand. And then, led by a wild dog of sensuality or pride, you end up in destruction. You may think that melodramatic. In our culture - even among other church leaders - I’ve found people are shockingly blaisee about the risk of false teaching. To be bothered about false teaching is to be like a prig. Or a fusspot. We’d rather focus on “what we are for”. But ask yourself this question; who knows more about the risks and rewards of genuine discipleship - you or the Apostle Peter? No disrespect, but I’m going to go with the one Jesus called The Rock. So, how do you protect yourself from false teaching? Well, Jesus said “By their fruit you will know them” and Peter drills into this a bit more. He encourages us to follow the trajectory of a teaching. Is this dog leading me towards humility? Strutting speeches about special revelations are seriously suspect. False teachers use such language to promote their church, their teaching, their insight over against the rest of the body of Christ. They use phrases like “When you’ve seen what I’ve seen...” and “the problem with the rest of the church is...”. Preaching should enlarge our vision of God but their preaching enlarges our vision of them.

Beware of such people. Please. Develop a very strong antenna for preaching that leads you away from humility. And then drop that lead. Return to the humble guys and girls who preach the main and plain message of the Messiah. Beware also of dogs headed towards sensuality. If they tell you to “be true to yourself” or to “live your dreams” be careful. They may just be immature. Or they may be leading you to a plate full of dog vomit. Good teaching helps us be true to our King. Good teaching helps us step into his dreams for the world. Good teaching celebrates holiness as a beautiful possibility and revels in humility before the Great and Awesome God. Give your ear to those preachers and you will thrive in exile and be fruitful in your faith.

Question for reflection

How do you discern if preaching is “false teaching”?

2 Peter 2 - Wednesday 16th October