2 Peter 2:1-2 “Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.”
There is an old Hollywood film called “Gaslight.” The story takes place at a time when houses were lit with gas lights rather than electricity. A wicked husband wants to drive his wife crazy so that he will have the chance to have her committed as insane and will have grounds to divorce her. The husband keeps gradually turning down the lights in the house and then denies that there is anything wrong when the wife complains.
What does this film have to do with Scripture? In this passage, Peter is not warning that false prophets MIGHT show up; he is guaranteeing that they WILL show up! Turn on the television to certain channels, and you will find an unending stream of self – styled prophets making all kinds of promises. Ostensibly, these people are Christians; however, much of the time they are preaching themselves far more than they are preaching Christ. The theology being preached generally stresses the wonder – working abilities of the prophet and employs Scripture only as a prop.
How can you deceive people? Just check out the tactics Satan used in the garden of Eden. Satan didn’t come in right away and advise Eve that she should rebel against God. Instead, Satan began by asking leading questions – “Did God really say You must not eat of any tree in the garden?’” gradually moving Eve’s mind further and further away from the truth. Finally, Eve chose to accept the idea that God really hadn’t meant what He said and anyway, the forbidden fruit was “good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom.”
Notice some things about these false prophets:
1. They might begin as Christians but somewhere along the line, they begin to twist the Gospel to suit themselves.’
2. They secretly introduce heresies. Just as Satan did with Eve, false prophets begin by putting forth what seem like innocent propositions. But as the line of reasoning gradually develops, unwary listeners may find themselves being led further and further away from the truth.
3. Many people may fall prey to false prophets and this will give true Christianity a bad name. Years ago, there was a popular movement in evangelical churches called the “shepherding movement.” In the beginning, this movement probably was innocent and there were a number of popular Christian pastors who became part of this movement. But as things progressed, the movement devolved into a situation in which spiritual overseers were dictating every aspect of the members’ lives. Some overseers were also extorting money from those under their care. Many sincere pastors eventually recognized the danger of this movement, left the movement, and spoke out. Eventually most of the groups originally in the shepherding movement found far healthier groups with which to associate. Sadly, though, there were many people who were deeply wounded by the tyrannical behavior of some shepherds. Some of these people were able to find new church affiliations; however, others completely repudiated Christianity altogether.
How can you protect yourself from false prophets? Study Scripture for yourself. Before you begin to read the Bible, you can pray the prayer from Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” God loves to answer that prayer! If you ask God to help you to see His truth, He will gladly help you. Jesus said of himself that he was the light of the world. The apostle John wrote that “In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you that you ARE the one true light! Please help all of us to study your word and to learn your truths for ourselves. Open our eyes that we might see wonderful things from your law. And help all who read these words to truly know you as Savior and Lord and Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. In your mighty and precious Name, Jesus. Amen.
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