Reading: We live in a selfish world — can we all agree on that? Many people in our country and around the globe are only interested in their own gain, even if it the means to another’s loss. They desire to climb to the top of the corporate ladder, lead their career field, make a name for themselves, and obtain those personal benefits from their hard work – whatever means necessary. If we’re being honest with ourselves, we’ve probably gotten caught up in this “grind” from time to time too. It seems like the more we look around us, the more we see the world telling us to choose ourselves over others and God. 

Baseball can take on a flavor of selfishness too. Selfishness in baseball can come in the form of a player who only cares about the back of his baseball card or a coach who only concerns himself with wins and losses. 

There’s a lot of examples in scripture, in the Old Testament and the New. There were actually people teaching the gospel for selfish gain and some even sacrificing the integrity of scripture to do so. Jesus warned believers that these false teachers would come, when he said, “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect — if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time” (Mark 13:22-23).

Peter draws attention to that same warning, and he gives us some identifiers to pinpoint how these false teachers may rear their heads. It’s so important for us as believers to know what to look for. Even more so, we should know the consequences of following such instruction that manipulates the gospel. Peter says in verse 3, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them.” Destruction is their destiny and these false teachers will take anyone with them. There is no place in the kingdom of God for false teaching. We aim to hear from God and the truth from him alone.

Also, something should catch our eye as we read is in verse 2. Peter says, “Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” When you follow Jesus, there are going to be many to the right and to the left going in the opposite direction. In fact, Jesus tells us that we will be the “salt of the earth”, looking much different than the culture around us. It’s difficult to go against the grain of the world. We should pray for direction, and pray for God to direct our steps in this chaotic world. Know that we have scripture as well to help point us in the right direction.

Reflection:  There are a lot of places we can turn to in scripture to help us identify and combat false teaching that goes against the gospel of Christ. Let’s turn to some of these scriptures and reflect on them:

(1) Recognition: Matthew 7:15-20, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; How may false teachers appear, and how does Jesus say we can recognize them? 

(2) Interaction and Response: 1 Timothy 4:7-8; How should we respond to false teaching, and what holds value for all things?

(3) Consequence: Proverbs 17:20; What happens to our heart when we accept false teaching, and what is our destiny if we live by it?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for choosing me and loving me. Thank you for your Word, which is completely true and dependable because of who you are. I ask that you would give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear teaching that differs from yours. Give me the discernment needed to be able to know the truth of your Word from the lies of the world. Give me the strength to abstain from following false teaching and choosing selfish ways. Jesus — continue to work in my heart to make me more like you. Let me cling to your Word and your truth and not the false promises the world offers. You are so good, and thank you for coming to earth to die in my place.