September 24, 2025 - 2 Peter 2:10-22 - "Religious Lost Preachers"

2 Peter 2:10-22

"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the LORD. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

This solemn chapter reminds us of the danger of false prophets and false preachers. They are religious but lost, men marked by self-glory, self-will, and self-gain. The Word of God describes them as those who "walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, despise government, and are presumptuous and self-willed"  (2 Peter 2:10). They build empires for themselves, love titles, and speak great swelling words of vanity (2 Peter 2:18). Yet their promise of liberty is empty, for "they themselves are the servants of corruption" (2 Peter 2:19). Scripture declares they are "wells without water, clouds carried with a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever" (2 Peter 2:17).

But why are these warnings given to us? So that we might look not to men but to Christ. Were it not for sovereign Grace, we too would be deceived. We would remain entangled in the pollutions of the world. But God, Who foreknew His people and by His Spirit brought them to Christ (1 Peter 1:2), has multiplied to us grace and peace through the knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2).

Consider the contrast. These men are described as "brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed" (2 Peter 2:12). But Christ—though made a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:9)—humbled Himself even to the death of the cross. He, the One Who could have called ten thousand angels to deliver Him (Matthew 26:53), submitted Himself rather to the Father’s will, laying down His life for His sheep (John 10:15). He bore the wrath of God in their place, and by His obedience unto death accomplished that perfect Righteousness necessary to satisfy God's Law and Justice. As Paul writes, "He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The false preacher feeds on self. But the true servant of Christ feeds the flock of God, "not for filthy lucre, neither as lords over His heritage, but as examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2–3). Their testimony is not of self, but of Christ crucified, risen, and reigning. "We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, to the Greeks foolishness, but to them which are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:23–24).

Notice again the imagery: "wells without water, clouds without rain." They stir up expectation but bring no peace. Why? Because Christ alone is the Well of Living Water. To the Samaritan woman, He declared, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). Empty preachers cannot give this water. Christ alone satisfies.

The warning is pointed and sharp. "It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment" (2 Peter 2:21). Why? Because to harden oneself against the truth of Christ crucified leads only to deeper darkness. Hearts become Gospel-hardened. "Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15).

But for those who belong to Christ, there is no perishing. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:27–28). Their sins are put away forever. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). The debt is paid, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them, and God is forever satisfied.

This is the difference: false preachers bring hearers into bondage, but Christ brings liberty for His elect. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). False teachers lead in darkness, "the blind leading the blind" (Matthew 5:14), but Christ is "the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

So we bless His name. If He has granted us grace to flee from every false refuge and to behold Christ alone, then it this is His Sovereign Mercy and Grace. He is the Shepherd Who feeds His flock, the Well Who never runs dry, the Righteousness in which we are justified forever. "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood… to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 1:5–6).