In the first part of his second inspired letter Peter explained that his teaching about Jesus is true because it is based on eyewitness testimony and because it agrees with the words of God which the prophets delivered. But how can we know what is truly a message from God instead of merely the words of men? In the next section of his letter Peter tells us that we can recognize a false teacher by comparing him to a true prophet.
Chapter 1, verse 19 through chapter 2, verse 3 says, “We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit. But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.”
The first characteristic of false teachers that Peter mentions is that they work in secret. Peter is not saying that the followers of Christ should disregard prudence in teaching those who do not yet believe in Christ, nor is he saying that the affairs of the church should always be open for everyone to see. But within the church if teaching must be concealed, then it is very likely that something is wrong. In chapter 1, verse 19 Peter compared the word of the prophets to “a lamp shining in a dark place.” The purpose of all teaching should be to illuminate, not to veil or conceal. For example, the Apostle John records what happened when the authorities questioned Jesus about his activities: “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.” (John 18:20-21) We should be very wary of any teacher who is afraid to speak openly.
Another characteristic of false teachers is that they spread destructive heresy. In chapter 1, verse 4 Peter wrote that the purpose of Christ’s promises was to enable us to “participate in the divine nature” (NIV), and to “escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (NIV) Does the teaching we receive help us to become more like God? Or does it excite evil desires? Peter calls Jesus the “morning star.” The Apostle John wrote, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) Jesus himself said, “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24) True teaching will always draw us toward light and life. False teaching will take us toward darkness, sensualism and destruction.