Daily Reading: 2 Peter 2
Scripture Focus: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. (2 Peter 2:1-2)
Devotional Thought: Paraphrasing today's scripture, we could say, “False teachers are preying upon the true believers, and they bring destructive teaching, even denying that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Many will follow their emotion-based, self-centered philosophy, and because of them the truth will be compromised and blasphemed." How?
· Secretly… God’s enemy rarely shows himself in his true form – ugly, destructive, sinful, and always set against truth and goodness. He will use deception to trick God’s image-bearers into believing a lie, and will spread that lie to draw as many as possible away from the truth of the gospel.
· Sensuality… The condition of being pleasing or fulfilling to the senses. Could this be seen as “seeker-friendly”? These “seekers” are seeking nothing more than a feel-good, self-congratulatory, we-are-all-basically-good-people emotional high, as they hear sermons without a single mention of sin or our need for a Savior.
· Blasphemed… The gospel message can be corrupted, twisted, and treated with irreverence - in short, blasphemed. Those who despise God’s authority are bold and willful; they do not tremble as they blaspheme; they revel in their deceptions; they are insatiable for sin and entice unsteady souls.
Our only defense comes from knowing and embracing the truth. “If you shall confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10.9). Embrace the wonderful, saving news of the gospel!
Jenny
Prayer: Lord, we ask that you guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Preserve us blameless until your coming. Give us wisdom and discernment to recognize and reject falsehoods and lies from the enemy. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 62.1-4
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah
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