Presumptuous, Self-willed, and Speaking Evil of Dignities 2 Peter 2:10

As the apostle Peter continued his discourse on false prophets, he wrote of God's ability “to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished “. In chapter two and verse ten, he shares more specifically as to who these false prophets are and what they do. He wrote:

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

The verse begins, “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,” Once again Peter uses the word, “but” to begin this verse which declares an even more direct reference to those of which he speaks. These are “chiefly them” or the ones “above all”, “the most” or “especially” the ones that live according to their fleshly desires. Peter describes these false prophets as ones who “defile and pollute” themselves with their fleshly cravings and their desire for what is forbidden.

The verse goes on to say, “and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed,” Not only did these false prophets walk after their own unclean desires, but they also “despise government”. In other words they “contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of” those who have “dominion, power, lordship” over them. These false prophets are daring men who are “self-pleasing, self-willed, and arrogant”. They resent being governed over, live rudely, and are overconfident, smug, pretentious, and pushy.

Finally the verse says, “ they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” As though Peter's appraisal of these false teachers has not been descriptive enough, he adds that they have no fear when speaking ill of those with authority to make “opinions, judgments or views”. These people do not “tremble” when they “speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, and blaspheme” those whom ultimately God has allowed to be in authority. Peter's inference is that such behavior should never be done, and yet these presumptuous, self-willed despisers of government have no trepidation in doing so.

It is quite easy to point fingers at others instead of examining ourselves when we study verses like this one. As we think about these things do we “walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness”? Do we “despise government” and would we be found to be “presumptuous, self-willed, and not afraid to speak evil of dignities”? Perhaps as we ponder the traits of these false prophets of which Peter writes we will find some of their traits within us. If we find them, let us be sure to bow our heads before our Savior Jesus Christ and allow Him to align us with His truth once again.

Next time we learn how not even angels do what these people do, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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