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2 Peter 2:15 – The Straight Path

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Will

having forsaken the true way, they went astray following the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.

Truth to Learn

Follow the path God leads you on no matter how much fame and fortune are promised you.

Behind the Words

The words “having forsaken” are translated from planaō, meaning “to roam, to go astray, to leave the right way.”

“Following” is the translation of the Greek word exakoloutheō, a compound word made up of ex, used here as an intensifier, and akoloutheō, meaning “to accompany or to follow.” Hence this word means “to intensely follow” or “to imitate.”

Meaning Explained

In the close of the last verse and the first part of this verse, Peter said that these false teachers are “accursed children who have left the true way and went astray.” The way of righteousness in our traversing this world is often portrayed as walking down a path. We all have the option of following the straight path (true path) or of blazing our own path apart from the road God wants us to travel. These false teachers have gone one step farther. Not only have they left the path God has for them, but they have led others off the right way unto their own path. Though it may seem like a better way, it never works out so.

Instead, Peter says, these teachers have followed “the path of Balaam the son of Beor.” Let’s look at this prophet of the Old Testament and see what he did. This event occurred just as the children of Israel were about to enter into the Promised Land. You can read about it in Numbers 22:1-24:25. The Israelites were in the land of the Moabites just across the Jordan River from Jericho. Balak, the king of Moab, was afraid of the Israelites and called for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites so that the Moabites could attack them and destroy them.

Initially Balaam refused to come because Jehovah had instructed him that these were “blessed” people and they were not to be cursed. When Balak heard that Balaam refused to come, he offered Balaam great wealth and great honor if he would curse the people of Israel. Balaam then agreed to go with them knowing full well that God had forbidden him from cursing the Israelites.

Balaam was more persuaded by wealth and honor than he was by direct revelation from God himself. He was willing to “go along” with the evil doers even though he knew it to be wrong. It appears that Balaam’s intention was to not curse the Israelites, but he went along anyway because of his fleshly desire for fame and fortune.

There is a very real warning contained in this event. Do not stray from the path that God has laid out for you no matter what the price. Do not let the allurement of fame and fortune turn you from the straight way. Not only will the riches not satisfy you, but you will find that you are acting in direct opposition to God, and He will not bless your actions.

Application

The path of truth does not always appear to be the easiest or even the best, but we can trust God when he gives us direction. Let us learn to be sensitive to the prodding of the Spirit so that we can overcome the allurements of our own sinfulness and obey the One who knows the best path for us!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:14 – Greedy Practice

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Will

Having eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning, seducing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, they are accursed children;

Truth to Learn

False teachers serve themselves, not those whom they teach.

Behind the Words

The word translated “seducing” is deleadzō, which means “to entrap with bait.” It is a picture of a fisherman (like Peter) who baits a hook with the intent of ensnaring the fish.

“Unstable” is translated from astēriktos, which is made up of the privative a and stēridzō, meaning “firm or established.” Hence, this word means “unstable, unsteady, or unsettled.”

The word “trained” is from gumnadzō (from which we get our English word gymnasium), which means “to practice.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense which implies past completed action with an ongoing effect. In other words, they are “well practiced.”

“Greed” is translated from the Greek word pleonexia, which refers to “covetousness or greediness.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has been quite open in his condemnation of these false teachers, and he has still more to say about them. He says that they have “eyes full of adultery,” which can be literally translated as “eyes full of an adulteress.” What he is saying is that even at these feasts where they are ostensibly “fellowshipping with other believers,” these false teachers cannot even look upon a woman without lustful thoughts. They are, as Peter has said previously, totally consumed in their fleshly lusts, and now he also says that they “never stop sinning;” they allow their eyes to lead their souls into sin without any hindrance whatsoever.

Once again, let me remind you that, outwardly, these false teachers are pious and righteous, pretending to teach the word of truth but instead they are corrupting the message, turning it into their own message instead of God’s message. Their purpose, of course, is to satisfy their own desires for power, possessions, and passion. These false teachers are preying on the souls of immature or unstable Christians with a message that, instead of freeing them, is entrapping them further in their ways of sin. And, these false teachers were well practiced in greedy covetousness.

These false teachers are not at all what they appear to be. Perhaps they do not even recognize what it is that is driving them. Instead of being caring and loving shepherds of the flock entrusted to them, they are more focused on what they can get out of the flock than what they can give to the flock. Their message may sound, innocent, and comforting, but their real purpose is not to meet the spiritual needs of the flock but to meet their own physical needs.

Application

The next time you hear a message that doesn’t seem quite right, let me urge you to be like the Christians of Berea in Acts 17:11 who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether these things are so.” Do not assume that because they are in the pulpit they have some special revelation from God regarding the truth of the Word. Check it out yourself and let the Spirit of God teach you.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:13 – Life of the Party

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Will

Suffering wrong as the payback for their unrighteousness. They consider it pleasure to carouse in the daytime; they are stains and blemishes, self-indulgent in their delusions while they indulge in luxury with you.

Truth to Learn

When harsh criticism is given of others, we need to ensure that we are not guilty of the same misdeeds.

Behind the Words

The word translated “pleasure” is hēdonē, from which we get our English word hedonism. This Greek word refers to “physical pleasure, gratification, or enjoyment.”

“Carouse” is from the Greek word truphē, meaning “to be made weak by luxury which destroys the integrity of body and mind.”

“Self-indulgent” is from entruphaō (having the same root as truphē), which means “to indulge or revel in luxuries.”

The word “deceits” is from the Greek word apatē, actually meaning “delusion or deception.”

Meaning Explained

Peter continues his condemning description of the actions of these false teachers. This is a tricky verse to translate, so let’s look at it carefully. We also have to tie it to the previous verse to get the full meaning. My translation of the end of the previous verse and this one is:

… In their own corruption they shall utterly perish, suffering wrong as the payback for their unrighteousness. They consider it pleasure to carouse in the daytime; they are stains and blemishes, self-indulgent in their delusions while they indulge in luxury with you.

“Suffering wrong as the payback of unrighteousness” This is a reference to what will happen when they perish and are judged by God. It should be encouraging to us as we see the ungodly seemingly getting away with, even being rewarded for, their evil deeds. Peter says that these false teachers will get what they deserve when all is said and done.

“They consider it pleasure to carouse in the daytime.” These people believe in indulging themselves in pleasurable things all day long. And lest we get too self-righteous, consider that this is precisely what advertising is telling us everywhere we look: “live for pleasure, and live for today, not worrying about what it will cost tomorrow.”

“They are stains and blemishes indulging in their delusions while they indulge in luxury with you” Peter is saying that these people indulge themselves in activities that they consider appropriate but that are morally wrong. And, these false teachers do such things with the pretense of fellowshipping and celebrating with you in church. But all the while they are deceiving you so as to keep you around, not for what they can give you spiritually, but for what you can give them materially.

Application

In light of Peter’s harsh condemnation of the false teachers of his day, let’s examine ourselves, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:28-30.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and let him drink of the cup; for the one eating and drinking unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. For this reason many among you are weak and feeble, and many sleep.

Let’s determine what our own motives really are. Are they selfish and self-seeking? Or, are they submissive and God-serving? Before we cast the speck out of our brother’s eye, let us deal with the beam in our own eye!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:12 – God’s Precious Word

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Will

But these men, as irrational beasts, having been natural born for capture and corruption, blaspheme in matters of which they are ignorant. In their own corruption they shall utterly perish.

Truth to Learn

Those who do not respect God’s word will perish.

Behind the Words

The expression “irrational beasts” comes from the Greek aloga zōa. Aloga means “one who does not reason” or “irrational” and zōa (from which we get our English word zoo) refers to “a living creature or “an animal.” Hence they are irrational animals.

The words “corruption” and “perish” are both from the root phthora, meaning “corruption, destruction, ruin, or decay.” It is a picture of a piece of rotting fruit sitting out in the hot sun; in fact, Peter uses words from this root three times in this verse. And, as the end of this verse says, “in their own corruption they shall utterly perish.” In other words, “in their rottenness, they shall completely rot away.”

Meaning Explained

Peter now gives a very graphic description of these false teachers, what drives them, and what will ultimately happen to them. He says that they are “like irrational beasts.” In other words, Peter says that they are irrational animals who are totally controlled by physical impulses and desires without intellectual reasoning of any kind. And, like animals, they were born only to be caught and destroyed, which is precisely what God will do to them at the end of their lives.

He also says “these men blaspheme in matters of which they are ignorant.” These teachers are not at all shy about condemning and speaking evil of others, even though they have no real understanding of the things about which they speak so disrespectfully.

Peter is not very kind at all in his description of these false teachers. He says they take the precious message of hope and peace from a loving God and turn it into a watered down, warm and fuzzy, feel-good-about-yourself message that is designed simply to provide for their own physical desires. These foolish people are totally missing the spiritual implications of what they are supposed to be doing. Peter says that they will rot like spoiled fruit.

We all have jobs to provide income to feed and clothe us and our families. These false teachers saw their ministry as simply a job, and they were just making a living. So what’s wrong with that? Anyone who teaches or preaches the Word of God should not be doing what they do because it is a job or to earn a living. They need to recognize that it is a ministry that they are entrusted with by God, the Creator of heaven and earth. It is a sacred responsibility with eternal consequences both for the minister and those being ministered to.

Application

How do you view the Word of God? Do you look at the Bible with respect and awe; a message for mankind from God Himself?

Keep in mind that God will not treat with kindness those who treat His message as anything but precious and sacred!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:11 – Lord, or Just Savior

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Will

whereas angels, being greater in strength and power, do not bring slanderous accusations against them in the presence of the Lord.

Truth to Learn

We all need to recognize what spiritual authority we are under.

Behind the Words

“Angels” is a transliteration of the Greek word angelos, meaning “a messenger.”

The word translated “slanderous” is blasphēmos, which means “to be abusive, to revile, or to slander a person’s good name. It is the word from which we get our English word blasphemy.

“Accusations” is from krisis, meaning “an accusation” or “a condemning judgment.”

Meaning Explained

Lest we forget, the people that Peter is now talking about are those false teachers who despise the ones in authority, especially those who are in spiritual authority over them. These false teachers were not afraid of the principalities and powers, and they even spoke evil of them. Peter now contrasts that with the attitude of the spirit beings themselves, the angels.

Let’s look at these spirit beings for a minute. There are differing ranks among the angels. There are those who are simply called “angels,” like those who appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Christ; there are a few, like Michael, who are called archangels, having a superior position to the others; and there are cherubs and seraphs that seem to have special functions around the throne of God. There are also those angels referred to as “principalities,” translated from the Greek archai, meaning “those who are chiefs among the rest.”

Peter says that even angels, who are greater in power and might than the false teachers who freely blaspheme higher powers, do not bring a slanderous accusation against those with spiritual dominion over them. Peter may be referring to an incident that is mentioned in the book of Jude. Jude also talks about false teachers who have crept into the church and who have spread destructive heresies. Also, like Peter, he talks about how these false teachers do not respect the spiritual hierarchy.

Satan (the Devil) was once one of the top angelic beings and he was described as “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12) before his fall, and he remains a powerful force among the spirit beings, higher and more powerful than even Michael the archangel. Jude speaks of Michael’s encounter with Satan regarding the body of Moses.

But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 9)

Michael, though he is a powerful and mighty archangel, would not bring an accusation against Satan who is more powerful, and mightier. Instead, he left the rebuking up to the even more powerful God.

Angels will not bring a reproaching accusation against another angel, but these false teachers will freely blaspheme them before the Lord. These false teachers don’t understand the very things they claim to have mastery over. Instead, as Peter will say in a later verse, they are “speaking out arrogant words of vanity…” and God will judge them for it!

Application

The false teachers that Peter has been talking about were not submitted to the lordship of Almighty God. They may have been great teachers. but without having been submitted to God’s authority, their teaching was empty vanity. In fact, none of us can be mightily used by God unless we’re submitted to His lordship. Is Jesus Christ your Lord, or just your Savior?

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:10 – Selfish or Submitted?

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Will

And most of all those going after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, despising authority, presumptuous, self-willed, not afraid to slander glorious beings.

Truth to Learn

Some false teachers only care about their own desires.

Behind the Words

The words “lust of uncleanness” are translated from the Greek words, epithumia miasmou. The word epithumia refers to “overly strong desires” or “lusts.” The other word, miasmou means “contaminated or polluted.” We could translate these two words as “perverse lusts.”

The words “despising authority” are from the Greek words kuriotētos kataphronountos. The first of these is from the root, kurios which means “lord or master” and the other is a compound word made up of kata, meaning “against” or denoting evil and phroneō which means “to think or have a mindset.” Hence these words mean “to think evil of their masters” or “to despise authority.”

“Not afraid … glorious beings” is translated from doxas ou tremousin. The word doxas means “glories” or “glorious ones.” The word ou means “not” and tremousin means “to dread” or “to be terrified of.” Hence, it literally means, “they have no dread of the glorious ones.” Based on Peter’s words in the following verse, this is a reference to the slander of angelic beings.

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us that the Lord knows how to keep the ungodly from escaping the judgment that is due them. Now he says that this is especially true of these false teachers, those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature. They have a way of life that caters to their appetites, especially their perverse lusts. They have so allowed their lusts to overpower them that they have become corrupt and perverse. Yet, in their mind, their actions seem normal.

Peter also says that they “despise authority.” These are people who don’t like anyone telling them what to do; that is, they don’t have respect for authority, either civil or religious. They certainly don’t want a God who tells them what to do, so they invent a theology that gives them control over their god.

But Peter doesn’t stop here. He continues to describe these false teachers as “presumptuous and self-willed;” that is, they think far too highly of themselves. He also says that they “…are not afraid to slander glorious beings” In other words, these false teachers have no fear of those who are worthy of praise and glory and will freely slander or blaspheme them.

Wow! Peter certainly doesn’t pull any punches when he talks about these false teachers. They have become self-absorbed and self-seeking. Their entire focus is inward instead of God-ward. For the most part, however, these false teachers appear outwardly good and honorable, hiding the reality of their desires behind a façade of devoted religiosity.

We have talked in the past about the fact that the central notion of sinfulness is really “self-ness,” making our own decisions and considering only ourselves. That’s the opposite of submission to God.

Application

Now the question is, are you submitted to God, or are you more like these false teachers who serve their own overpowering desires? Only you can answer these questions. Think carefully before you answer, and be honest with God.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:9 – Lord and Master?

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Will

the Lord knows to rescue devout ones from trials and to keep the unrighteous for the day of judgment, being punished.

Truth to Learn

If you’re a Christian, God is your master and you are his servant.

Behind the Words

The word translated “Lord” in the first verse of this chapter is despotēs, from which we get our English word “despot.” It means “one who possesses supreme authority.”

“Trials” in this verse is from peirasmos, which means “a putting to the test.” This word is only used in the New Testament with regard to people.

The word “judgment” is from the Greek word, krisis, which means “a tribunal.” It most often refers to condemnation.

Meaning Explained

Peter now returns to his message about false teachers. In the preceding few verses he gave us examples of how God dealt with people who rejected His lordship like the false teachers have. Now he makes a summary statement about this notion.

Before we look at it, though, let’s spend a minute talking about what it is that the false teachers have done wrong. The answer is back in verse one, “denying the Lord who bought them.” The root of their problem, Peter says, is that they refused to submit to the Lordship of the One who paid for their sins. Rather than believing that God is all powerful and able to do as He pleases, these teachers tried to bring God down to their own level.

This is nothing more than “big man, little god” theology which has been espoused by churches throughout the ages. It has been expressed in many ways, most of which sound reasonable, some of which are well intentioned, and some are out and out heresies. Whatever the case, the ultimate result is to draw people away from the type of relationship that God wants into the type of relationship that man thinks he wants.

One of the subtle points that Peter is making is that God is the one in control, not man. We are not able to control these false teachers, but God is able. That’s what these examples that Peter has just given us are all about. He now makes the summary statement, not only does God know how to deliver the godly out of temptation, but He also knows how to keep the ungodly from escaping. They will be judged and they will be punished!

It’s interesting that this verse does not say that God will keep us from being tested; it says that when we are tested God will deliver us out of it. He will deliver the Godly out of their time of testing, but He will not allow the unjust ones, those who deny His lordship, to escape the Day of Judgment. That is, the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of days where all the ungodly will be cast into the lake of fire.

The point is that these false teachers, who are teaching a theology laden with humanistic ideas and subtly denying who is really in supreme control, will eventually be judged by the Master himself.

Application

God is not looking for eloquent leaders; He is looking for submitted and committed followers. He is the Lord and Master and He wants His followers to recognize Him as their Master and to proclaim this truth. Is that what you do?

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:8 – Tortured By Sinfulness

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Will

for the righteous one dwelling among them day by day, in seeing and hearing their lawless deeds his righteous soul was tormented.

Truth to Learn

Living in the midst of sin is torture for a committed Christian.

Behind the Words

“Righteous” is translated from dikaios, which is derived from dike, meaning “that which is right or just.” It refers to someone who lives by the rules and regulations set by God.

Anomos, is the word translated “lawless.” It is made up of the privitive a, meaning “not” and nomos, meaning “the law.”

The word “tormented” comes from the Greek word basanidzō, which means “an examination by torture.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verses we talked about the wickedness of Sodom and its affect on Lot. According to verse seven God delivered “righteous Lot” who had been worn down by the lustful behavior of the lawless people of the city.

Today’s verse reiterates the fact that the actions of the people of Sodom had a tormenting and debilitating effect on Lot. Peter starts off this verse restating Lot’s righteousness as if to make the point that, in spite of his constant exposure to and oppression from the acts of the inhabitants of Sodom, Lot was indeed righteous. But he was not at peace!

The verse tells us that as Lot was living among these people, day after day, he was seeing their actions and hearing them talk about them. Apparently the thoughts and actions of the people of Sodom were constantly focused on their sinful lusts. I can just imagine all their billboards and all of their television commercials were laden with sexual innuendos and overt sexuality. I can imagine their Wall Street advertisers saying, “Sex sells our products.”

Today’s society, like Sodom of old, is controlled by lust. What we see today is a world totally focused on eating, drinking, partying, and sexuality. The effects of it are all around us, from alcoholism and drug abuse to an epidemic of obesity, to the blinding lust for power and riches, to overt depraved sexuality. In 1 John 2:16 it says,

because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

It’s all around us. We are living in the midst of it day after day. Lot was being tortured by it. We all know what happens to people who are tortured, they will say and do almost anything just to end the torture. We need to be careful in our condemnation of Lot for his own perverse reasoning, offering his daughter to protect the angels. He was being tortured!

Application

The real question is, are you being tortured by what you see and hear around you today? Do the things you see and hear daily vex your spirit? Does it bother you to see blatant sexuality portrayed in movies and advertisements day after day? Are you able to keep your desires for food, fun, and sex in their proper place? Or have you succumbed to the constant barrage of sinfulness around you so that you spend more time during the day thinking about your own desires and things of the world than you do about the God who loves you?

Here’s a quick test. Compare the amount of time you spend daily fellowshipping with God (through prayer, reading and studying the Bible, and humbling yourself before Him) to the amount of time you spend in worldly pursuits or entertainment.

Ouch, that hurts!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:7 – Righteous Lot?

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Will

And rescued righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the wicked behavior of lawless men.

Truth to Learn

Living like the people of this world will corrupt your behavior.

Behind the Words

The word translated “oppressed” is kataponeō, made up of kata, an intensifier, and poneō, meaning “to labor.” It means “he was worn down or vexed” by the people of Sodom.

Meaning Explained

Given Peter’s subject matter, the question that we have before us is, “Was Lot saved, spiritually, or just physically?” After Lot departed from his uncle Abraham, he chose to pitch his tent near (or toward) Sodom. Later we find that he had moved into town and had become one of the magistrates of the wicked city. When the townspeople learned that strangers (the two angels who came to destroy the city) had come to stay with Lot, they surrounded his house and demanded that the strangers come out so they could perform sexual acts with them. Lot refused. Instead, he offered his own virgin daughter to the men of the town if they would leave his guests alone. You can read about all of this in the book of Genesis, chapters 13, 18, and 19.

Lot’s association with the people of Sodom had worn him down and had influenced his reasoning in a negative way; otherwise, he would never have offered his own daughter to satisfy their lust. And, when the angels warned Lot to flee for his life, he didn’t want to leave Sodom. They had to literally drag Lot, his wife, and his two daughters out of town.

So, I ask again, “Was Lot saved spiritually?” Before we answer the question, though, let’s see what God said about Lot’s uncle Abraham. In Genesis 15:6 we read,

And he (Abraham) believed in Jehovah. And He (Jehovah) credited it to him (Abraham) for righteousness.”

God declared Abraham to be righteous because he believed. That’s the Old Testament way of saying that he was saved. Notice that it was Abraham’s arguing with God regarding a few “righteous” people (that God surely would not destroy the righteous with the wicked) which prompted the angels to remove Lot, the righteous one, from the city before it was destroyed. In addition to that, Peter refers to Lot as “righteous Lot.” So, to answer the question, “Yes, Lot was saved!” And Peter’s point is that even though God judged the people of Sodom, just as he will judge false teachers, he protected and saved Lot because he was righteous.

Was Lot living like a righteous person? Certainly not, or he would not have offered his daughters to satisfy their sinful lusts. Lot did not lose his righteousness (his salvation) just because he was living in sin, just as we do not lose our salvation today even if we are living a sinful, selfish lifestyle. Did Lot have peace? Not at all! Was Lot being obedient? Certainly not! Was Lot’s behavior pleasing to God? Absolutely not! Was Lot still saved? Through Peter’s pen, God says, “Yes, he was!”

Application

How about you? Does your behavior distinguish you as a Christian, different from those around you? Or, have you allowed the world around you to corrupt your behavior and dull your conscience? If so, you are not pleasing God, and you will have to stand before Him some day and give account of your actions!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:6 – Lulled Into Sin

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Will

And if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, incinerating them as an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;

Truth to Learn

It’s easy to ignore sin when everyone around is doing it.

Behind the Words

The word translated “condemned” is katakrinō, which is made up of kata, meaning “against” and krinō, meaning “to judge.” Hence, it means “to judge against.”

“Incinerating” is from the Greek word trephroō, which is derived from the noun trephra, meaning “ashes.” Hence, trephroō means “to turn into ashes” or “to incinerate.”

Meaning Explained

Remember what Peter has been talking about? He has been talking about the false prophets of the past and the false teachers of his time and ours. Through their smooth words they deliver a message that is designed to line their own pockets rather than to edify the body of Christ. Though they seem to be doing so with impunity, Peter said in verse 3 that their long standing judgment is not idle and their punishment is not sleeping. It is coming and they will not escape.

By way of example, Peter then talked about the angels who sinned and are now incarcerated in Tartarus as well as the wicked people of Noah’s time who perished in the flood. Today he gives a third example, that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

You can read the account of the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. There you will see that the people of Sodom had become so wicked in their sexual lusts that they had abandoned all semblance of civility, seeking to violate even strangers that wandered into their town. Spiritually, this is no different than the false teachers whom Peter has been talking about. The people of Sodom were content with their lifestyle. They saw nothing wrong with it. They even accused Lot of being a self-righteous prude because he confronted them concerning their sinful practices..

And, reading the account of Sodom and Gomorrah carefully you will see how even righteous Lot (that’s what Peter calls him in the next verse) had become calloused and even tainted by their wicked ways. Though Lot acted to protect the visitors, he was willing to sacrifice his own daughter to the lusts of the townspeople. Even his perspective had become distorted; his spiritual sensitivity had been obliterated.

Even though it appears that the townspeople were about to prevail, God’s judgment first blinded them and then destroyed them because they refused to hear the message of “repent and be saved.” They would not listen to sound teaching.

Application

Where are you today? Content with how easy it is to be a Christian? Have you been lulled to sleep by good sounding, easy to digest messages from the pulpit? Or are you committed to doing what is right in God’s eyes no matter what everyone around you is doing?

It’s time to wake up!

In God's service, for His glory,