It had been better

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 2

2 Peter 2:21-22 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

False prophets are a reality. Peter warns us that just as they were among the children of Israel, they will be among the Church. They have an agenda and are always trying to gain followers.

Is a false prophet a person who used to be saved, but now is lost? No, the Bible here tells us that they have heard the gospel and know the way of righteousness, but they turn from it.

John says it like this:

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

A false teacher was never saved. The sad reality is that they have heard the good news of Jesus, but they turn from the holy commandment and turn to whatever brand of heresy they teach. The Bible here uses a graphic illustration of two animals, a dog and a sow.

A dog is an interesting creature that God designed with a very special characteristic to teach us about false prophets. A dog will vomit and then go back and eat it! In the same way, a false prophet will hear the good news of Jesus, but will turn and go back to the old religion or occult practices that they once knew.

It is also like washing a sow. It does not do much good, because when she first gets a chance, she will find a mud hole and wallow in it. Both of these animals prefer their filth to cleanliness. The false prophet shows his/her true colors because they prefer the filth of their old belief system to the truth of Jesus Christ.

Be on guard and know the Word. If you know the truth, it will make you free!

In Christ,
Rody