In our second post in this series through 2 Peter 2 we are looking at the consequences of twisted truth.
False teaching doesn’t just deceive; it entangles. It preys on our desires and leaves us worse off than before. Peter’s words in 2 Peter 2:18-20 show how dangerous distorted truth can be—both for those who teach it and those who follow it.
False teachers often appeal to what we want to hear. They “mouth empty, boastful words” and entice people by “appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh” (2 Peter 2:18). This isn’t new. In the garden, Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was “pleasing to the eye” and “desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3:6). Temptation comes dressed as something good, but it leads to spiritual harm.
The tragedy of distorted truth is that it promises freedom but delivers bondage. Peter warns, “They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity” (2 Peter 2:19). Whether it’s false teachers in Peter’s time or modern distortions of the gospel, the result is the same: entanglement in sin and spiritual ruin.
Peter’s words are especially sobering for those who have known the truth but turn away. He writes, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20). Rejecting truth after knowing it leads to deeper accountability and greater spiritual harm.
However, this passage does not mean that a believer can lose their salvation. Peter is describing individuals who have been exposed to the truth and may have even professed faith, but their return to lifestyle and their attitude towards God demonstrates that they were never truly transformed. This aligns with 1 John 2:19, which says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” True salvation is the work of God, and He promises to preserve His people (John 10:27-29, Philippians 1:6). This warning is a call to examine our hearts and remain firmly rooted in Christ, rather than a suggestion that genuine believers can fall away.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
- Why do you think false teachers often appeal to desires rather than calling for repentance? How have you seen this play out?
- Peter warns that twisting truth leads to spiritual bondage. Have you ever experienced this in your own life or observed it in others?
- How does reflecting on these dangers encourage you to stay anchored in God’s truth?