Understanding 2 Peter 2:1

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction (training, discipline) in righteousness (2 Timothy 3: 16).

For Scripture to accomplish the above, it must be preached, studied, rightly divided, received and believed, meditated on, acted on, and must never be mixed with error.

Too many Christians are not students of the whole Word and do not sit under real and mature preachers, therefore they are not well trained Christians. O, I acknowledge that some of these untrained professing Christians know certain parts of Scripture, and even use those parts over and over. They know just enough to be dangerous to themselves and others.

2 Peter 2:1 is a Scripture that many professing Christians do not fully understand and therefore become easy prey for false teachers and preachers. It reads, "But there were false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction."

The first thing I will address that the devil uses to confuse and deceive Christians about this verse is the part about denying the Lord. Preachers do not properly train their listeners about this part, and readers of this part all too often lean to their own understanding. Their own understanding limits them to thinking that this teacher uses the Bible and talks about Jesus with his words so this can not apply to him or her. There are obvious false teachers who with their words actually deny things about Jesus such as He is not the only way and there was no virgin birth. Many people are falling for those things! But many more are falling for those who speak the name of Jesus and say good things about him, but deny him in other ways. Now, that is real deception! That is deception that will deceive even you unless you are very well trained and have keen spiritual senses.

What are the other ways? Well, we all know about people who say one thing and do another thing. We know about people who say one thing in public and another in private. We know about people who will say whatever it takes to get what they want. The list is almost endless. Let’s go back to those who say one thing and do another. Some false teachers will preach and praise the name of Jesus (say one thing), but their actions betray them (they do other things that deny the Lord). The Word teaches us that if we love Jesus Christ we will show it by obeying His Word. Everyday in the world people are saying nice things to other people, but in private and public ways their actions show that they are out to fleece the people in one way or another. Some false teachers will say true biblical things about Jesus, but their words and actions will misuse the Word of God in key places. Silly women get pregnant out of marriage almost daily because they are listening to deceptive words and ignoring other key things. Silly (gullible) women (and men) who are ever learning and never coming to the truth are daily being made captive by false teachers disguised as ministers of righteousness (2 Timothy 3: 6, 7; 2 Corinthians 11: 12-15).

These false ministers are talking about Jesus, but betraying Jesus by their actions and words concerning other things of Scripture. They are adding to and taking away from Scripture. They are deceiving and fleecing those whom Jesus gave His life for.

Another thing about this verse (2 Peter 2:1) that is used to deceive people is the part about things being done secretly. Some people think, “This is very public, it is on television; this is not being done in secret.” There are other Scriptures that show that not all the works of the devil are done in a way that is secret as far as the natural eye is concerned, but secret also has more than one application. Secret things can take place in the wide open public. In the midst of a wonderful and public meal people can and have been poisoned. In the midst of a seemingly wonderful and public service people are regularly being poisoned with ungodly leaven. Some times it is done a little at a time just as some one can be poisoned in their food a little at a time. There are other things about this verse, but hopefully this will get you started. (If interested, take a look at swift destruction and how it can be used to deceive people).