2 Peter 2:17-22
17: These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.
18: For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,
19: promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
20: For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
21: For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.
22: It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”
Peter concluded his discussion about the false teachers who had forsaken the way of righteousness. He called them springs without water and mists driven by storm. They had the appearance of something good and promising, but actually brought barrenness and destruction. (2 Timothy 3:1-7).
They spoke arrogantly and enticed by fleshly desires and sensuality. They promised freedom yet they themselves were slaves of corruption. Peter explained that whatever overcomes a person enslaves him. They were overcome by sin and were enslaved to it. Yet, they enticed those who had escaped out of the world. Unbelievers who had just found salvation in Christ were being lured back into sin through these so-called Christians. How arrogant to think they would not be judged for that.
Peter said those who followed this path would end up worse off than they were before. When one escapes the corruption of the world by the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and then becomes entangled again in those things they escaped, they are worse off than before. To know the way of righteousness and turn from it is worse than not having known it at all. Peter quotes Proverbs 26:11 which says like a dog returns to its vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
We must guard against being enticed by those with eloquent or flattering words who promise good things. We must guard against allowing ourselves to give in to temptations and desires of the flesh—justifying them by reasoning with ourselves, compromise, or promises of freedom and fulfilled desires. We must put up a strong guard against sin, and those things which will tempt and entangle us to go back into sin (Hebrews 12:1-3).
We must also guard against trying to get others to condone sinful behavior we are tempted to engage in, trying to justify those things that tempt us. If we find ourselves in that place, we must repent, and immediately turn from what we know is wrong. The more we look at it, the more we’ll want it and start to follow that path. Jesus is our example, when we keep our eyes on Him and stay close to Him, we will remain in Him, and free from all that corrupts and enslaves us.
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Peter concluded his discussion about the false teachers who had forsaken the way of righteousness. He called them springs without water and mists driven by storm. They had the appearance of something good and promising, but actually brought barrenness and destruction. (2 Timothy 3:1-7).
They spoke arrogantly and enticed by fleshly desires and sensuality. They promised freedom yet they themselves were slaves of corruption. Peter explained that whatever overcomes a person enslaves him. They were overcome by sin and were enslaved to it. Yet, they enticed those who had escaped out of the world. Unbelievers who had just found salvation in Christ were being lured back into sin through these so-called Christians. How arrogant to think they would not be judged for that.
Peter said those who followed this path would end up worse off than they were before. When one escapes the corruption of the world by the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and then becomes entangled again in those things they escaped, they are worse off than before. To know the way of righteousness and turn from it is worse than not having known it at all. Peter quotes Proverbs 26:11 which says like a dog returns to its vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
We must guard against being enticed by those with eloquent or flattering words who promise good things. We must guard against allowing ourselves to give in to temptations and desires of the flesh—justifying them by reasoning with ourselves, compromise, or promises of freedom and fulfilled desires. We must put up a strong guard against sin, and those things which will tempt and entangle us to go back into sin (Hebrews 12:1-3).
We must also guard against trying to get others to condone sinful behavior we are tempted to engage in, trying to justify those things that tempt us. If we find ourselves in that place, we must repent, and immediately turn from what we know is wrong. The more we look at it, the more we’ll want it and start to follow that path. Jesus is our example, when we keep our eyes on Him and stay close to Him, we will remain in Him, and free from all that corrupts and enslaves us.
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