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2 Peter 2 opens by describing two different kinds of false people within the church. Maybe we have never taken the time to consider the difference between false prophets and false teachers? Maybe we have just lumped them into the same category? To Peter, the false teachers of his day are just as dangerous as the false prophets of long ago.
In the Old Testament, the primary path to understanding God’s divine will was from the mouth of His prophets. People were conditioned to hear a message from prophets. Now that we have the full canon of Scripture, people are more likely to listen to a teacher of the Word. To me, the difference comes down to what is the most effective contextually. In Peter’s time (and in our current era) more believers are looking to Bible teachers rather than prophets because the Word is what guides a Christian life.
Knowing all this, the most dangerous threat to the early church was a good-hearted person with bad doctrine. A teacher with a good reputation in the community could infiltrate the church with bad theology and tickle the ears of vulnerable believers, eventually leading them astray.
It may not seem that obvious, but that is essentially what’s happening. Seekers always want something new and fresh that allows them to compromise. False teachers provide the nourishment for these hunger pangs.
But there is another danger to false teachers. They damage the witness of true believers.
“Even so, many will follow their immoral ways; and because of what they do, others will speak evil of the Way of truth.”
2 Peter 2:2 GNB
False teachers will profess to follow Christ, but instead, live a life of disobedience or compromise. This kind of lifestyle will destroy the reputation of genuine believers. People who follow this mindset do so utilizing all kinds of good intentions. It could be in the name of love, or for the “greater good.” It may just be what seems pleasurable or what promotes a more peaceful, enjoyable life.
Whatever the case, Peter boldly states that the real truth will be maligned. In other words, hypocrites will cause others to stumble. They may even use Biblical truth to justify it. Jesus’ words will haunt those who fall into these false doctrines as they will become the people who “he never knew” in Matthew 7.
Those who deny the Lordship of Christ will cause many others to falter in their walk and will be held accountable just like those in the past. The sad reality of a false teacher is not just the state of their soul, or those who are following them, but also the unbelieving world who looks upon the Name of Jesus with confusion, skepticism, and disdain.
The hope is that Jesus promises us that those who come to Him with a genuine, repentant heart will receive truth, forgiveness, and freedom. His Holy Spirit will guide those who are pure of heart.