Envy is a sin and certainly a huge—yet rather subtle—temptation the enemy uses to trap every human being. The sin of envy leads to greed which brings horrific effects when it is involved in spiritual leadership. Those who are anointed to bring the Word of God to his people are simply servants who have been granted the ability to search the mysteries of God and share them.
Preachers and teachers are never invited to feast on God’s perfect manna and then rewrite it, before sending it out to feed the Lord’s flock. God’s Word is pure and powerful; it is given to help Christ’s followers stay on the narrow path of salvation. Ministry is about exalting Jesus—the Living Word of God—in the lives of his worshipers. We find hope for the journey in the Word knowing God will be faithful to fulfill it in every life seeking salvation.
When a spiritual teacher discovers, experiences, and shares the Truth, it always brings God’s goodness and provision to the people. Eternal life in Christ is self-perpetuating when we stay connected to the Truth. For this reason, Jesus challenged Peter [the one who had denied him three times] to feed his sheep/people the Truth (John 21:17). Peter experientially understood the temptation humans face to deny the Truth for the greed of earthly power and authority.
Our passage today comes from Peter’s second letter to the early church, as well as to believers throughout all generations. He wants Christ’s followers to be aware of the abounding dangers to their spiritual growth [spiritual attacks], so he sets out some warnings. The early Christians expected the Lord to return to earth shortly after he ascended to heaven. After a period of waiting, false teachers began to interpret the Word of God in a twisted way in order to keep the people assembling which supported their positions and authority; greed was the underlying motivator. Therefore, Peter feels the desperate need to refresh the people’s memory of the timelessness and faithfulness of the Truth—Jesus.
Two things, in particular, motivate this section of Peter’s letter: 1) the ongoing presence of false teachers who will twist the Word of God by condoning and pardoning sexual immorality, and 2) dishonoring the covenant commandments of God by diminishing the need to follow these guidelines for love into holiness. These “leaders” were laying out deceptive practices for God’s people, by removing their responsibility to live godly lives in and for Christ. May we guard our hearts and grow in the grace of our Lord.
2 Peter 3:14 NLT And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
Peter’s Final Words
17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Peter’s letter and for the warning you extend, so your children can follow you along the righteous path. We pray for your love to rise up within us and snuff out the spirit of envy and greed. May we be generous people who share life with great joy as your servants and stewards of grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.