9b ...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.

Peter wanted to put the church on alert with the stockpiling of Satan's warfare. His arsenal is lies, misguided people, emotional attachment to the things of this world and the desire to keep people from knowing the truth of their need for salvation. Be on alert for lies and false teachers. Last week we looked at the first part of the chapter about how to detect false teachers, the pending destruction of false teachers, and how faithful followers are delivered by God's grace from destruction.

There are many divisions within the Christian church. There are also many false teachers that twist or deny major doctrines of the Scriptures. To know where to join forces and part company is not always easy. The vast split of the church was when Martin Luther stood strong on his convictions of salvation by faith alone and the stand brought about the reformation - the split from the Roman Catholic church. Before that time, major false teachers represented by doctrines which deny the Trinity, the nature of Christ, salvation, and the resurrection. There have been major splits with regards to legalism and license.

A major controversy today which is causing denominational splits is the place homosexuality has in our culture and in our churches. When church leaders proudly present themselves as Biblical and homosexual something is wrong in the church.

Recently we have seen within the evangelical church attacks on the atonement of the cross, hell, and the promotion of universalism, which teaches that everyone will be saved for Christ died for the whole world.

I have read; there are approximately over 4,000 groups today that are considered cults. What is also alarming is the falling of pastors into immorality or embezzlement, or the bizarre teachings of cult leaders which cause some people to reject all religion. Many people group all religion and churches as being untrustworthy and emotionally, psychologically manipulating.

In the passage today you will notice it is filled with passion, disgust, and rage as Peter wrote to continue to warn his church of false teachers. He expanded on revealing some things he wanted the church to know about false teachers and where they stand with God.

Because of Satan’s attack on truth the people of God need to be alert and warned now more than ever.

It may not be easy to discern unimportant differences from major ones, but there are some guidelines Peter put down which I hope to address this week.

Application: As we said, in the past devotion, be like the Berean church by searching the scriptures to see if what is being taught is truth

Prayer:  Lord God, I pray that you would raise up within these churches that are falling away, leaders who will draw them back to the truth and purity of the word of God