False Teachers - Part II
2  Peter 2:12-22

Introduction:
     Peter warns of the coming of false teachers. He also warns of the destruction of
        these teachers and the real danger of being destroyed with them. Having warned that false
        teachers will come, in the first eleven verses of this chapter, Peter now tells what kind of
        character these false teachers have. We should be watchful that we may recognize false
        teachers, lest we be destroyed with them.
     (1 John 4:1 KJV)  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
     they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

I.   Preachers Who Prey (v 12)
     A. These false teachers are like wild animals
          1. They are undisciplined in conduct
          2. Like animals, they obey their desires (to the destruction of themselves)
     B. Like animals, they prey upon others
          1.Jesus condemned the false teachers of the Jews  Matt. 23:14,15
         2. He said that the one who follows them is “twofold more the child of hell”
     C. These are like those who sow tares in wheat  Matt. 13:24-30 ; 36-43

II. Forsaking the Right Way (v 15)
     A. These false teachers follow the way of Balaam
          1. Balaam was corrupted by the love of money (Num. 22)
          2. This would have caused him to curse God’s people
          3. He was reproved by a donkey (even the beast was smarter than he)
          4. The angel would have spared the beast, but killed the prophet
     B. Paul warns to watch out for false teachers!  Rom.16:17-20

III. Slaves of Corruption (vv 18-22)
     A. Having once been slaves of sin, we have been freed by Christ
     B. To reject the gospel of Christ for another is to be enslaved again
     C. Having obeyed the gospel, and then to reject it is like:
          1. A dog that eats his own vomit
          2. A sow that has been cleaned, wallowing in her filth
    D. To receive the gospel and reject it is worse than to never have received it!
 
Conclusion:
     Paul the apostle realized the urgency of protecting the truth. He said:
         "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a
         gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be
         accursed."(Gal 1:8 NASB)
     Be sure you know the truth. Study God’s word so that you can know the truth and
         detect that which is “another gospel”, knowing that if you follow a false teacher
         you will be destroyed with him.