Word@Work 2Pet20 - 2 Peter 2:12
Published: Fri, 09/04/09
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BLASPHEMY AND IGNORANCE
2 Peter 2:12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. (NIV)
There are few more hurtful sounds than hearing a loved one being slandered. And blasphemy is slander against God, and it ought to be offensive to those who love Jesus. As we saw yesterday, arrogance and slander walk darkly together; and today, we see that blasphemy and ignorance are linked. Indeed, anybody who had a full understanding for the awesomeness of Almighty God, with His limitless power to strengthen the church and destroy the wicked, would hardly dare to offend His honour. So, blasphemy will thrive where there is ignorance of God, His Word and His ways.
Peter declares that the false teachers of the early church were not only puffed up with their own importance, but they did not know what they were talking about. They were responding to their unknown inner passions just like wild animals; they were doing whatever would satisfy themselves; and they had no concept of the consequence of their actions or personal lusts. Although it seems a rather harsh analysis, if they behaved towards God like animals with no souls, they were setting themselves up to forfeit their souls (cf Matt 16:24-27).
Today's verse is a potent reminder of the hazards of assuming to be a teacher when you don't know what you are talking about (cf James 3:1). Those who presume to speak in Christ's Name but without His authority are treading dangerously. So too are our friends and colleagues who blaspheme in ignorance, using Divine Names as verbal playthings. However, what is needed is not just a change of behaviour, but a change of heart. But such transformation is impossible without being informed of the truth; and that is why we must proclaim the gospel (cf Rom 10:14). Mouths that offend God will only start to please Him when they hear and accept what He says about Himself in the Scriptures; then their ignorance will be removed: and we might pray that they will believe what they hear. Then their animal nature be replaced by a heart which is sensitive to please God.
Prayer: Holy God. If I find blasphemy offensive, how much more must You be grieved and angered by such dishonour. Help me to keep sensitive to what pleases and offends You so that my relationship with You can grow. I do pray for those who seem to have no regard for You and feel confident to abuse Your Holy Name. Please have mercy upon them and bring them to repentance and faith as someone explains the truth to them: and if You want me to be involved, please let me know. So help me to keep alert and on-side with You in my work and worship. In Christ's Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
There are few more hurtful sounds than hearing a loved one being slandered. And blasphemy is slander against God, and it ought to be offensive to those who love Jesus. As we saw yesterday, arrogance and slander walk darkly together; and today, we see that blasphemy and ignorance are linked. Indeed, anybody who had a full understanding for the awesomeness of Almighty God, with His limitless power to strengthen the church and destroy the wicked, would hardly dare to offend His honour. So, blasphemy will thrive where there is ignorance of God, His Word and His ways.
Peter declares that the false teachers of the early church were not only puffed up with their own importance, but they did not know what they were talking about. They were responding to their unknown inner passions just like wild animals; they were doing whatever would satisfy themselves; and they had no concept of the consequence of their actions or personal lusts. Although it seems a rather harsh analysis, if they behaved towards God like animals with no souls, they were setting themselves up to forfeit their souls (cf Matt 16:24-27).
Today's verse is a potent reminder of the hazards of assuming to be a teacher when you don't know what you are talking about (cf James 3:1). Those who presume to speak in Christ's Name but without His authority are treading dangerously. So too are our friends and colleagues who blaspheme in ignorance, using Divine Names as verbal playthings. However, what is needed is not just a change of behaviour, but a change of heart. But such transformation is impossible without being informed of the truth; and that is why we must proclaim the gospel (cf Rom 10:14). Mouths that offend God will only start to please Him when they hear and accept what He says about Himself in the Scriptures; then their ignorance will be removed: and we might pray that they will believe what they hear. Then their animal nature be replaced by a heart which is sensitive to please God.
Prayer: Holy God. If I find blasphemy offensive, how much more must You be grieved and angered by such dishonour. Help me to keep sensitive to what pleases and offends You so that my relationship with You can grow. I do pray for those who seem to have no regard for You and feel confident to abuse Your Holy Name. Please have mercy upon them and bring them to repentance and faith as someone explains the truth to them: and if You want me to be involved, please let me know. So help me to keep alert and on-side with You in my work and worship. In Christ's Name. Amen.
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