Deeper Reflection
FALSE PROPHETS AND TEACHERS WILL ARISE AMONG human societies and even church communities. They will “secretly bring in” (v.1), insidiously teach and spread heresies (i.e. beliefs that are against those of the historic Christian faith). Heresies are destructive to people’s present lives and eternal destinies, but many of these false teachings will not be detected because church leaders and members lack vigilance. Heresies include even denying the Master (i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ) who bought sinners with His blood (v.1). The false prophets and teachers will speak words that offend and show no respect for God’s way of truth (v.2). They will twist and distort the correct understanding of truth, such that truths will be presented as lies, and falsehoods will be promoted as facts. Evidence of these abound today.Have there not arisen around the world many celebrity preachers of the prosperity gospel – the teachings that tell hearers that believing in Jesus Christ entitles them to health and wealth in the here and now? Do we not see the rise of online falsehoods, disinformation and misinformation about human origins, spirituality and the end of the world? Are there not attempts at revisionist interpretations of Scripture to support unrestricted and unnatural sexual relations, and gender fluidity?Thus the false prophets and teachers will exploit ignorant and unstable people, as well as those who welcome the prospect of having a licence to sin or an endorsement of their sinful lifestyles (vv.2, 3, 10). As a result, there will be many who profess to be Christians but do not follow Christ, and live as though God does not exist.