“…there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, WHO WILL SECRETLY BRING IN DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR DESTRUCTIVE WAYS, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” (2 Pet. 2:1-2) False teachers are clever. Peter says they “privily [privately, secretly] shall bring in damnable heresies.” This means they come secretly and in disguise. Jude says they creep in unawares. The truth is they MAY BE HARD TO DETECT. They tell just enough truth mixed with their lies to be believable and if a Christian is not FULLY ARMED AGAINST THEM by having A FIRM FOUNDATION TO HIS FAITH, he can be led down a path to destruction. Jesus said, “If you abide [remain stable or fixed] in MY WORD, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.” (John 8:31-32)
What is the truth? Jesus said, “I AM the way, THE TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME…If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP [tēreō: observe and do] MY WORD; and My Father will love him, and
WE [Jesus and the Father] WILL COME TO HIM AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM… (John 14:6, 23)
-Bill Stockham