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WORDS OF EMPTINESS

Text: 2 Peter 2
22 May 2022

THE WORDS OF THE FALSE TEACHERS

The Apostle Peter noted the teachings of the false teachers. He made a short list of what they taught.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 

20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 

21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 

22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”     2 Peter 2:18-22

  1. What were the false teachers doing?

a) They stood in opposition of what the Apostles taught

b) They obviously criticized and objected to their teachings

c) They offered their opinions

  1. An assessment of what they said:

a) They speak great swelling words of emptiness

b) They try to allure people through various means

c) They promise liberty but they themselves are in bondage

  1. Did they once know the Lord Jesus and His teachings? Yes!
  1. What happened next?

a) They had become entangled in sin

b) Their spiritual state became worse

  1. Peter’s comments:

a) For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.     2 Peter 2:21

b) But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”     2 Peter 2:22

Let us ever be watchful and prayerful at all times!