Avoiding Dangers in Our Walk with God

Knowing God Personally

2 Peter 2:15-22

2 Timothy 3:16

In verses 15-22, Peter addresses the deadly influence of false teachers within the Christian community who lead astray weaker people and entice them back to a life of sin.  The teachers were posing as true believers but in reality were deceptive and destructive.  God will judge them and can deliver us.  Peter compares the false teachers to Balaam (Numbers 22-24), who had abandoned the straight path and was consumed with greed.

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”                1 John 2:6

“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.”                                         Colossians 2:6

“So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.”                                                                                                                       Deuteronomy 8:6

Four Cautionary Road Signs:

1.     as you walk. (v. 15)

2 Corinthians 11:3

Galatians 1:6

Ephesians 4:14

Acts 20:29-31

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17

·      Make the most of .

·      Know the .

If you want to read God’s mind, then read .

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” but we have the mind of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 2:16

2.   Be careful . (vv. 16-18a)

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”            Proverbs 13:20

“A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”                                                                                                      Matthew 7:17-20

1 Peter 1:16

When you go in direct disobedience to what you know God says in His Word, you are just asking for trouble.  Do not !

Acts 1:18

Numbers 31:8

3.   Be careful what you . (vv. 19, 20)

John 14:6

4.   Be careful how your . (vv. 21, 22)

Proverbs 26:11

Three Tests That We Can Apply:

1.   The test of .

Galatians 5:22, 23

2.   The test of .

John 14:6

Matthew 7:13, 14

3.   The test of their .

People can tell who we are as Christians by our walk.

Daily Meditations

 
Memory verse: “They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.”            2 Peter 2:19
 
 
Monday
Read 2 Peter 2:15-22.  In verse 16, how did God rebuke Balaam? 
 
 
What did Peter say was reserved for people who rebel against God in verse 17? 
 
 
Why and how could someone who has known Christ return to the unrighteousness from which he or she had been rescued? 
 
 
 
Tuesday
Read 2 Peter 2:15-22.  How did the evil people of whom Peter wrote affect others?  See verse 18. 
 
 
When are you tempted to return to some sinful activity or attitude? Why? 
 
 
What lustful desires entice people today? 
 
 
 
Wednesday
Read 2 Peter 2:15-22.  To what were sinful people slaves in verse 19?
 
 
When and how does slavery sometimes appear to be a promise of freedom? 
 
 
To what sorts of desires can we become unknowingly enslaved? 
 
 
 
Thursday
Read 2 Peter 2:15-22.  According to verse 20, how did Peter say a person could escape the corruption of the world?
 
 
Beginning today, from what sinful desire will you ask God to help you escape? 
 
 
 
Friday
Read 2 Peter 2:15-22.  What is the main message of verse 21? 
 
 
What steps will you take today to ensure that you don’t allow your exercise of freedom to result in your enslavement to sin? 
 
 
 
Saturday
Read 2 Peter 2:15-22.  What proverbs did Peter apply to the blatantly ungodly in verse 22?
 
 
 
How will you deal with the effect of living in a sinful world today?