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False Teachers

Posted by James P. McGarvey , 21 July 2014 · 1043 views

On Sunday, July 20, 2014, I preached a message entitled "False Teachers," from 2 Peter 2:1-22 at Riverside Church in North Lauderdale. Peter identifies nine characteristics of false teachers. Here is a portion of what I said in dealing with characteristic number six, false teachers are given to sensuality, "And many will follow their sensuality," verse 2.

"Sensuality" is also translated "licentiousness," or "lasciviousness" or "shameful immorality" NLT.
…Peter paints a very troubling portrait in this regard, adding in verse 10 that false teachers are "those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion" or "those who follow their own twisted sexual desire" NLT.

...Then in verse 14, "They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin."

...Peter continues, still in verse 14, "They entice unsteady souls." Here's the tragedy. Not only does this immoral behavior characterize the false teacher, but it directly impacts the "many" that follow the false teacher. The many follow their sensuality.

...The Apostle Paul warned (2 Timothy 4:3) the young pastor Timothy, "...people will not endure 'sound' teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves, teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

False teachers pander to the desires of their audience. You see, a church can grow in numbers because the audience hears what they want to hear, a message that suits "their own passions," or it can grow because of the transforming power of the Gospel, proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit.

It can grow because its message and methods appeal to the sensual, worldly visceral nature of man, or because the truth and grace of the gospel are taught without compromise in dependence upon the Spirit of God rather than appealing to the passions and self indulgence of the audience. As Michael Green points out, 'purely emotional religion leads, often enough, to immorality…'"

You can listen online or download the message at the Riverside Church link: http://www.954church...urces/messages/