May 4-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:1-3, But 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 sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
Observe what it is saying.
False prophets and false teachers have been present throughout history, leading people astray with their own created visions, prophecies, and dreams. Jeremiah 14:14, “Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.’” Now that the Gospel message has come, Satan has intensified his efforts to mislead God’s people through false teachers. Peter described them in three ways. First, they secretly fabricate stories that contradict the Old Testament Scriptures and the apostle’s message. They lay their teaching alongside the gospel making it sound legitimate. Such false teaching must be spiritually discerned from Scripture. Second, they denied Jesus, the very One who saved them. Third, they bring swift destruction on themselves for denying and lying ways. As is always the case, false teachers lead immoral lives of depravity, greed, and deceit.
Relate it to your life.
I need to be aware of false teachers who spew their lies through social media, podcasts, and pulpits.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, by Your Spirit help me to recognize and refuse to entertain false teaching. Amen.
May 5-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:4, For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Observe what it is saying.
Peter continues the thought about the destruction of false teachers by giving three examples in verses 4-8 revealing how God will rescue the godly and judge the ungodly. In today’s verse, we discover, God judged sinful angels. The most likely biblical reference to this is found in Genesis 6:1-4 where Jewish tradition understands “the sons of God” as angels who had intercourse with women and whom God therefore judged. Jude 6 speaks a similar message, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” The word for hell is Tartarus which is a term borrowed from Greek mythology that refers to a temporary holding place, not the place for final punishment. The “chains of darkness” is a common way the ancient world described the underworld as a place for punishment. The point is, God judges rebellion and will not spare those who reject His will. If God judged the angels, who are higher than human beings, then certainly He will judge rebellious humans, including false teachers.
Relate it to your life.
As a righteous and holy God, He has no other choice but to judge that which is evil and opposed to Him.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, judgment is built into the worldly system. However, You intervened to take the punishment of the world upon Yourself so we do not have to endure it, but we must believe. To believe includes changing our minds, putting our full trust in You, picking up our cross, and following after You. Amen.
May 6-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:5, if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
Observe what it is saying.
This is the second example Peter gives of God’s judgment on sin and salvation of the righteous. This is by far the most sweeping judgment God has ever brought upon mankind. The original story is found in Genesis 6:9-12, “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.” God told Noah he was going to bring an end to them, but he was to build a boat to spare him and his family. Peter referred to the Flood in his first letter and will do so again in the next chapter. With Noah, seven others were saved (his wife, his three sons, and his three daughters-in-law). They were guarded or protected by God during the Flood that wiped out the ungodly civilization. The statement that Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" could refer to his preaching activity not recorded in the Old Testament or to the fact that his lifestyle condemned sin and proclaimed righteousness to the people of his day. The world was in terrible shape, in fact, it was “full of violence.” God knew there was no other way to redeem humanity but to reset the earth’s population through destruction and protect Noah’s family to become the new progenitors for mankind.
Relate it to your life.
This judgment illuminates the horrible wrath placed upon Jesus on the cross so that I could be spared.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, may I never forget or fail to give thanks for the great sacrifice You made for me. Amen.
May 7-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:6-7, if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
Observe what it is saying.
This is the third example that Peter offers for God’s judgment on evil and God’s protection of the righteous. The book of Jude also has this to say about Sodom and Gomorrah, “In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 7) Sodom and Gomorrah were even spoken of by Jesus as an extreme example of how God’s judgment came upon sinners who totally undid God’s law concerning sexual purity. According to Genesis 19:24-28, "the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of heaven." This is given as a picture for the judgment that lies ahead for those who speak falsely about Christ. In contrast, was Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who lived in that ungodly mess. God sent Abraham to rescue him, as his righteous soul was tortured by what he saw living in the midst of such depravity, day in and day out. This should cause us to ask ourselves, “To what extent are we, who live in a godless society, "tormented" by what we see?”
Relate it to your life.
My level of inner torment at the evil and injustice in this world is an indicator of my spiritual depth.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, do not let me become comfortable with or accommodate to the sin that I see. Amen.
May 8-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:9-10, if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
Observe what it is saying.
After giving three examples of how God punished evil and rescued the righteous, Peter returns to the current issue of false teachers in the church and what they will experience in due time. Peter is confident in the Lord’s ability to bring the godly through their trials and to make sure the unrighteous will receive their just due on Judgment Day. Paul wrote to the Galatians a similar message, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) Peter goes on to describe these false teachers even further by saying they follow fleshly desires which is a reference to sexual decadence. They also despise authority which ultimately refers to their rejection of the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ over them. In fact, in their own arrogance, they were so bold to heap abuse on angels. One of the examples of judgment that Peter used was of fallen angels who had come to earth to have sex with women. So, what may be indicated here is that these false teachers were saying if angels came from heaven and took women, why could not they do the same? They were using the conduct of the fallen angels an excuse for their own involvement in sexual sin.
Relate it to your life.
We need to be very careful in whom we choose to model our behavior.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, do not let me be foolish like these false teachers who held up bad examples to emulate. Amen.
May 9-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:11-12, yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
Observe what it is saying.
In contrast to these audacious false teachers, angels themselves, even though they are stronger and more powerful than any human being, do not judge celestial beings (presumably, fallen angels) in the presence of the Lord. This reveals how foolish they are, not only in creating false teaching, but thinking they are superior to even celestial beings. In this comparison, even holy angels refuse to judge fallen angels so how do fallen human beings do so? This reveals the magnitude of their pride in changing the message and believing they are greater than angels. In fact, these false teachers act like irrational animals without the restraint that angels and righteous people have. They may claim a special knowledge, but they blaspheme out of their ignorance and arrogance. Like wild beasts who are slaves to their instincts and are born to be slaughtered, these false teachers are also destined for total destruction.
Relate it to your life.
False teaching is not merely a small error in judgment but is a full-on assault of God’s holy kingdom.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, help me to fully grasp how destructive heresy is in the church and to be discerning in what I speak and believe. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:1-3, But 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 sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
Observe what it is saying.
False prophets and false teachers have been present throughout history, leading people astray with their own created visions, prophecies, and dreams. Jeremiah 14:14, “Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.’” Now that the Gospel message has come, Satan has intensified his efforts to mislead God’s people through false teachers. Peter described them in three ways. First, they secretly fabricate stories that contradict the Old Testament Scriptures and the apostle’s message. They lay their teaching alongside the gospel making it sound legitimate. Such false teaching must be spiritually discerned from Scripture. Second, they denied Jesus, the very One who saved them. Third, they bring swift destruction on themselves for denying and lying ways. As is always the case, false teachers lead immoral lives of depravity, greed, and deceit.
Relate it to your life.
I need to be aware of false teachers who spew their lies through social media, podcasts, and pulpits.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, by Your Spirit help me to recognize and refuse to entertain false teaching. Amen.
May 5-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:4, For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Observe what it is saying.
Peter continues the thought about the destruction of false teachers by giving three examples in verses 4-8 revealing how God will rescue the godly and judge the ungodly. In today’s verse, we discover, God judged sinful angels. The most likely biblical reference to this is found in Genesis 6:1-4 where Jewish tradition understands “the sons of God” as angels who had intercourse with women and whom God therefore judged. Jude 6 speaks a similar message, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” The word for hell is Tartarus which is a term borrowed from Greek mythology that refers to a temporary holding place, not the place for final punishment. The “chains of darkness” is a common way the ancient world described the underworld as a place for punishment. The point is, God judges rebellion and will not spare those who reject His will. If God judged the angels, who are higher than human beings, then certainly He will judge rebellious humans, including false teachers.
Relate it to your life.
As a righteous and holy God, He has no other choice but to judge that which is evil and opposed to Him.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, judgment is built into the worldly system. However, You intervened to take the punishment of the world upon Yourself so we do not have to endure it, but we must believe. To believe includes changing our minds, putting our full trust in You, picking up our cross, and following after You. Amen.
May 6-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:5, if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
Observe what it is saying.
This is the second example Peter gives of God’s judgment on sin and salvation of the righteous. This is by far the most sweeping judgment God has ever brought upon mankind. The original story is found in Genesis 6:9-12, “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.” God told Noah he was going to bring an end to them, but he was to build a boat to spare him and his family. Peter referred to the Flood in his first letter and will do so again in the next chapter. With Noah, seven others were saved (his wife, his three sons, and his three daughters-in-law). They were guarded or protected by God during the Flood that wiped out the ungodly civilization. The statement that Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" could refer to his preaching activity not recorded in the Old Testament or to the fact that his lifestyle condemned sin and proclaimed righteousness to the people of his day. The world was in terrible shape, in fact, it was “full of violence.” God knew there was no other way to redeem humanity but to reset the earth’s population through destruction and protect Noah’s family to become the new progenitors for mankind.
Relate it to your life.
This judgment illuminates the horrible wrath placed upon Jesus on the cross so that I could be spared.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, may I never forget or fail to give thanks for the great sacrifice You made for me. Amen.
May 7-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:6-7, if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
Observe what it is saying.
This is the third example that Peter offers for God’s judgment on evil and God’s protection of the righteous. The book of Jude also has this to say about Sodom and Gomorrah, “In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 7) Sodom and Gomorrah were even spoken of by Jesus as an extreme example of how God’s judgment came upon sinners who totally undid God’s law concerning sexual purity. According to Genesis 19:24-28, "the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of heaven." This is given as a picture for the judgment that lies ahead for those who speak falsely about Christ. In contrast, was Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who lived in that ungodly mess. God sent Abraham to rescue him, as his righteous soul was tortured by what he saw living in the midst of such depravity, day in and day out. This should cause us to ask ourselves, “To what extent are we, who live in a godless society, "tormented" by what we see?”
Relate it to your life.
My level of inner torment at the evil and injustice in this world is an indicator of my spiritual depth.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, do not let me become comfortable with or accommodate to the sin that I see. Amen.
May 8-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:9-10, if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
Observe what it is saying.
After giving three examples of how God punished evil and rescued the righteous, Peter returns to the current issue of false teachers in the church and what they will experience in due time. Peter is confident in the Lord’s ability to bring the godly through their trials and to make sure the unrighteous will receive their just due on Judgment Day. Paul wrote to the Galatians a similar message, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) Peter goes on to describe these false teachers even further by saying they follow fleshly desires which is a reference to sexual decadence. They also despise authority which ultimately refers to their rejection of the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ over them. In fact, in their own arrogance, they were so bold to heap abuse on angels. One of the examples of judgment that Peter used was of fallen angels who had come to earth to have sex with women. So, what may be indicated here is that these false teachers were saying if angels came from heaven and took women, why could not they do the same? They were using the conduct of the fallen angels an excuse for their own involvement in sexual sin.
Relate it to your life.
We need to be very careful in whom we choose to model our behavior.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, do not let me be foolish like these false teachers who held up bad examples to emulate. Amen.
May 9-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:11-12, yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
Observe what it is saying.
In contrast to these audacious false teachers, angels themselves, even though they are stronger and more powerful than any human being, do not judge celestial beings (presumably, fallen angels) in the presence of the Lord. This reveals how foolish they are, not only in creating false teaching, but thinking they are superior to even celestial beings. In this comparison, even holy angels refuse to judge fallen angels so how do fallen human beings do so? This reveals the magnitude of their pride in changing the message and believing they are greater than angels. In fact, these false teachers act like irrational animals without the restraint that angels and righteous people have. They may claim a special knowledge, but they blaspheme out of their ignorance and arrogance. Like wild beasts who are slaves to their instincts and are born to be slaughtered, these false teachers are also destined for total destruction.
Relate it to your life.
False teaching is not merely a small error in judgment but is a full-on assault of God’s holy kingdom.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, help me to fully grasp how destructive heresy is in the church and to be discerning in what I speak and believe. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals