In his letter, Peter has reminded believers that Jesus is both Lord and Saviour (2 Peter 1:11). False teachers, however, deny this message. They deny that Jesus is sovereign Lord. They deny that he is Master (2 Peter 2:1). Most certainly this would not be a direct denial that is public and clear. If someone says that they are not a believer and they do not submit to Christ, then that same person is unlikely to influence Christians with false teaching. It will be obvious to all believers that they should not trust or learn from that individual. Most probably then these men were speaking a lot about Jesus and you would find many mentions of Christ in their sermons.
However, when it comes to areas where Jesus’ teaching contradicts cultural expectations, then these men are either silent or less clear. Perhaps they argue that obedience is not necessary when it requires sacrifice and that one needs only to obey when things are comfortable. In those areas where there is overlap between what Jesus taught and what society expects, they confirm that Jesus is Lord (e.g., no murder, care for the poor). But in the places where Christ’s teaching contradicts society (e.g., sexuality, Christ being the only way to God), they are silent or they find ways of excusing sin and sidestepping what Scripture teaches. Such teaching is appealing since it allows people to claim that they belong to Christ whilst keeping control of those areas in their lives where they do not want to make any changes.
The same kind of message is found today—just consider whether or not you have ever heard these phrases from Christians:
I know what the Bible says, but it is not really necessary for us to submit to this commandment...
Some of the Bible is outdated and we need to keep up with the times. General revelation is also revelation from God...
If you love someone and you are committed to them, there is no need to wait until marriage for sex…
We live in the new covenant and not the old. We are no longer under the law, so there is no need for us to obey the Ten Commandments or moral laws from the Old Testament...
If people are sincere in their beliefs, then surely God will look at that and will not judge them…
It is important to experience life and fulfill yourself. Obedience to God can wait till you have had some fun. You are only a student after all…
People need to feel valued and important. We cannot teach something that makes them uncomfortable or hurts their feelings...
There are lots of statements made from the pulpit or in conversation between Christians after a service that seem reasonable and well-meaning. Despite that, they can lead away from godly living in obedience to Christ and inadvertently encourage disobedience. Since we would all like to live in comfort, we will all be susceptible to this way of thinking and thus to going along with false teaching rather than challenging assumptions when we hear them. There are few Christians who deliberately seek to lead others astray.
1 But 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.