“BUT ALSO [in those days] there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies), even denying and disowning the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction and many will follow their immoral ways and lascivious doings; because of them the true Way will be maligned and defamed.” 2 Peter 2:1-2 -> me: False teachers are here today just as there were false prophets in the Old Testament. A false teacher has defected from the TRUTH -> they are all about flattery, financial ambitions, lives lacking in moral values, dulled consciences, and their aim is deception; they are more concerned about winning an argument than arriving at the TRUTH. A teacher of the TRUTH lives a life of bond service to the One Who bought them; they cannot serve Christ and their own ambitions. A false teacher lives in a world of fantasy and they will likely be impractical and unrealistic. Psalms 119:30 says “I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness; Your ordinances have I set before me.” It is so jarring when we discover that someone we respected turns out to be a false teacher. Calvin said this well, “There is nothing that disturbs godly minds so much as defection…” Peter helps us though by saying that this very thing will happen. I must remember to check everything I hear with the word of God. It can be easy to slip into believing the cunningly laid out lie of a false teacher.