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When Truth Gets Twisted

2 Peter 2
Mike Maglish

Part of 1&2 Peter: Standing firm in shifting times

March 19, 2026

1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. —2 Peter 2:1-3

“Secretly Bring In” - παρεισάγω (pareisagō) 
Para - Alongside 
Eis - Into 
Sago - Bring 
“Smuggle Something In Alongside Something Else.”

“Destructive Heresies” - αἵρεσις (hairesis) 
Ruin 
“Not just wrong ideas. Ideas that slowly ruin people.” 

In Peter’s Day:

1) They were twisting grace into license to sin: 2 Peter 2:2, 2:18-19, Jude 4. 
2) They were denying authority: 2 Peter 2:1, 2:10 
3) They were motivated by greed and exploiting people: 2 Peter 2:3 
4) They were rejecting future judgment: 2 Peter 3 
5) They were leading people astray: 2 Peter 2:2, 2:14 
There was an active influence of teachers intentionally pulling people away from Gospel. 

False teaching sounds like: 

“God just wants you to be happy.” 
“God wants you to be rich.” 
“Follow your heart.” 
“Truth is personal.” 
“Sin isn’t that serious.” 
“If God loves you He won’t let bad things happen to you.”

False teaching is SUBTLE.

 —2 Peter 2:4-10 (ESV)

GOD JUDGES THE WICKED

1) God did not spare the Angels 
2) God did not spare the ancient world 
3) God did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah 
4) God will not spare the unrighteous

GOD RESCUES THE RIGHTEOUS

1) God spared Noah 
2) God rescued Lot 
3) God will spare the righteous 

If God judged: 
• spiritual beings 
• the entire ancient world 
• entire cities

Then false teachers will not escape.

15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. —Matthew 7:15 (ESV)

God takes DECEPTION seriously.

—2 Peter 2:10-19 (ESV)

He describes them as:

• driven by desire 
• rejecting authority 
• arrogant 
• greedy 
• manipulative

“They will exploit you…” (vs 3)

ἐμπορεύομαι (emporeuomai)

It means: to treat people like merchandise or to profit from them.

 —Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)

False teaching is REVEALED by it’s FRUIT.

—2 Peter 2:20-22 (ESV)

These are people who:

• knew the truth 
• experienced something real 
• but didn’t stay anchored

Drifting from truth is DISASTROUS.

TAKEAWAY:  It is OUR job to reject FALSE TEACHING.

How Do We Reject False Teaching? 
1) Know The Word - You know what’s false by knowing what’s true (Ephesians 4) 
2) Stay Humble - Pride says, “I know better.” Humility says, “God, teach me.” 
3) Stay Connected - We need SPIRITUAL PARENTS to anchor us.