How to Avoid False Teachers - 2 Peter

2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV)

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Peter has spent most of this last letter he wrote to warn the church about false teachers.  In these last verses he gives us seven areas to make sure we are not swayed by those teachers:

1. We are to take care that you are carried away with the error of lawless people.  The words take care mean to stand guard.  To stand against false teachers we must be vigilant. 
2. We are to be careful that we don’t lose your own stability.  We are to make sure that what we had learned in the past will still be with us to keep us strong in the present.  To stand against false teachers we must rely on what is permanent.  
3. We are to grow.   Growth is the perfect antidote to false teachers. It is the foolish and ignorant that are often lead astray by false teaching.  To stand against false teachers we are to be in a state of advancement.  
4. We are to particular grow in grace.  Understanding the power of grace will enable us to avoid the false teachers who are mostly based upon law.   God’s grace sets us free from the law of man’s sinful nature.  To stand against false teachers we are to live in God’s benevolence.  
5. We are to also grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Having more and more understanding and knowledge about Christ enables us to resist the false teaching about Christ.   To stand against false teachers we are to increase our intelligence. 
6. We are to bring Christ glory now.  When we are attempting to bring glory to Jesus right now we will not be caught up in false teachers now.   To stand against false teachers we are to live in reverence. 
7. We are to bring Christ glory to the day of eternity.  We can’t just live for today.  We must always be living for eternity.   If we want to stand against false teachers we must live a life of expectance. 

We are to make sure we are not carried away by lawless people.  Through Jesus Christ, God equips us.