2 Peter 2:17-22

2 Peter 2:17-22 … Peter is talking about false prophets and false teachers (those who profess to speak for God but who are representing their own point of view). His condemnation of them is justifiably severe because they lead people astray. That’s what 2 Peter 2:17-20 is discussing when it talks about “springs without water” (v.17) and “boastful words” (v.18) coming from their own depravity (v.19). Good preaching is always based on the Holy Bible, which is an inexhaustible resource for guidance in life. Peter warns of watering down God’s message; man’s philosophy should never be substituted for Divine guidance. You see the severity of Peter’s warning in the closing verse which compares a person who has been biblically trained yet teaches worldly philosophy as a “dog returning to vomit” or a “pig returning to mud.” These are unpleasant images but are meant to punctuate the importance of the preacher’s or teacher’s solemn responsibility to faithfully speak for God and not for themselves. One more thing to know: this is addressed not only to speakers; it’s also addressed to hearers. Those who are hearers have a responsibility to be discerning, and specifically listening for biblical references and texts in the messages they hear.