What they teach, (i.e., the pastor/teacher) or have taught is better than what God said? Do you realize you are saying God’s Word is not important and that their message means more to you? As an example, even though God only required that the Israelites pay tithes. You pay tithes because your pastor or teacher tells you to. So please take 5 minutes to find out more.
Created: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
STM Bible Snack
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 (ERV)
- In the past, there were false prophets among God’s people. It is the same now. You will have some false teachers in your group. They will teach things that are wrong—ideas that will cause people to be lost.
- And they will teach in a way that will be hard for you to see that they are wrong. They will even refuse to follow the Master who bought their freedom. And so they will quickly destroy themselves.
- 2 Many people will follow them in the morally wrong things they do. And because of them, others will say bad things about the way of truth we follow. 3 These false teachers only want your money.
- So they will use you by telling you things that are not true. But the judgment against these false teachers has been ready for a long time. And they will not escape God who will destroy them. [read 2 Peter 2:1-3]
Warning, pay attention to what they teach as well as don’t teach
- Beware of “the Bible says” preachers/teachers
- • Especially if they fail to tell you from where in the Bible they are quoting or paraphrasing. Good teachers give you the reference, false teachers don’t.
- • In fact, the best teachers will make sure you know the book, chapter, and verse or verses as well as the translation. Without this info, it is difficult to verify what they teach.
- Feel-good preachers are nothing more than motivational speakers
- • Your primary reason for attending services should be to learn how to live to please God. If your pastor is not doing this then you are in the wrong place.
- • Is what they teach about right and wrong ways to live, talk, and treat others? There is more to pastoring than making people feel good (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
- • Do they use the Word of God to back up what they teach? Never get so comfortable with what they teach that you will not verify it by studying the Word yourself [Acts 17:11].
What they teach wrap-up
- 2 Peter 3:16-18 (Easy) – What Paul taught:
- He wrote about them in all his letters. Some things that he has written are difficult for people to understand. Some people have weak minds and they are not sure about what they believe. They explain Paul’s teaching in a way that deceives people.
- They also explain other things in the Bible wrongly. As a result, those people will destroy themselves and God will punish them.
- 17 My friends, you already know about these false teachers. So be very careful that you do not believe those bad people. Do not let them lead you away from God.
- You know what is true, so do not leave that safe place. 18 Instead, you must grow as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, who saves us.
- Continue to know him better and better. He will be kind to you and he will help you more and more. We praise him as he deserves! He is great now and he will be great for ever! [read 2 Peter 3:14-18 (16-18)]
Regardless of what they teach, you should be sure you are doing what God wants: continue to work out your own salvation [Philippians 2:12-18 (12)]. After all, God’s message is always better than theirs! I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible snack. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:
See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
