Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
They will be paid back
with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in
broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures
while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery,
they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts
in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the
straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who
loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a
donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the
prophet’s madness. (II Peter 2:10-16)
Getting back more clearly
to the false teachers, in this passage Peter brings up an idea that bears some
consideration. Some folks like to sing songs about the devil being put in his
place, or to teach about telling the devil that he has no place here or there. I
challenge you to check through Scripture for interactions between God and Satan
(or other demons) and pattern your behavior after God’s.
But all the while false
teachers are trash-talking at the devil, he’s sitting back and laughing because
they are doing what he desires them to do- to be arrogant, bold, unafraid to do
is not their right to do, carousing, committing adultery (in their minds if
nowhere else), being greedy, leading others astray, and basically being his
disciples.
I’m not recommending the
movie “The Devil’s Apprentice” to you because it’s a disgusting film in some
ways, but it portrays this idea wonderfully. A young lawyer gets hired by an
older lawyer and finds himself tempted in many ways, often sexual. His wife is
nearly driven mad by events. Eventually, when asked to do something professionally
unethical, the young lawyer comes to his senses, says “No!” and quits. And he
and the audience cheer - he’s beaten the devil. Hurrah! But has he? Or has he
learned that he can “beat” the devil?
It's also like addictions.
One never starts drinking to become a drunk. Those
addicted often say they can stop any time they want. It’s all good - until it’s
not. They’re strong, until they’re not. They can take that step closer to the
edge, they won’t fall - until they do. Wisdom says to avoid temptation - not to
play with it.
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