2
Peter 2:14-22English
Standard Version (ESV)
14 They have eyes full of
adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts
trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way,
they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor,
who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his
own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained
the prophet's madness.
17 These are waterless
springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has
been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud
boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are
barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them
freedom, but they themselves are slaves[a] of corruption. For
whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have
escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state
has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been
better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing
it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb
says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow,
after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
As we continue
in our picture of those who are fallen, let’s look at some of the descriptors
of them. They are adulterous as they no
longer have a one and only love for the One True God. They love money, fame, attention on
themselves more than they love the God who saves. Have you even known or do you know someone
like this? If so, be aware of the
destruction that they can bring. I once knew
someone once who fits this description.
This person even deceived me for a time but I was so thankful that the
Father opened my eyes and I did not become enslaved to this person and their
way of thinking.
As Christians we
need to be on the look out while not being judgmental. Not everyone who seeks fame and fortune are
necessarily evil. It is a very tough call and is difficult to know when to turn
and run and when to witness. As I read
these scriptures today, I underlined some key points to be on the lookout
for. Here is a list:
-unsteady souls – you can see this in the way they talk and act,
always searching but never
finding satisfaction in anything they do;
-greedy – always a need for more and will destroy anyone that come
within their path;
-freewill- they forsake what is right for their own pleasures;
-follow false prophets/religions –such as religions that do not put
Christ first and recognize Him as
the Beloved Son of God and a part of the trinity.
-promise much and deliver nothing- they always have a plan and nothing
ever comes to being in the way that they
promise, they draw you in to try to destroy.
I am sure that
many of us have found ourselves at one time or another in one of these states
of mind. Take for example, “unsteady
souls,” there are times that I feel that way but the difference is in how we
respond. When I feel defeated,
dissatisfied, and discouraged I focus on the One and Only One that can satisfy
me. I begin to delve deeper into the
Word, pray harder, and seek His face. My
situation may be unsteady but my soul is devoted to Him. Whereas a false prophet/teacher, after
knowing the ways of the Lord, refuse to accept them and choose rather to go against
them. They will search but will not
find.
I trust that
those reading this blog, seek to honor Him.
I trust that you do not want to find yourself on the other side of the
battle. The only way to ensure this is
to continually seek Him with all your heart and know that His way is the only
way to the day of glorious reunion and celebration with Him. Run, don’t walk, from those who try to deceive. Run, into the arms of Jesus. Don’t find yourself on the other side where
only doom and gloom will be your end.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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