Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2 Peter 3:17
While living in this wicked world, we are all susceptible to venturing down the wrong path. We try to guard ourselves the best we can, but the truth is we all fail at times. We can be led astray by the most subtle things. My friend, be so careful not to get caught on that slippery slope of deception. It can come from the most unlikely of places, and the only way to discern what is truly right from wrong is to stick close to the Lord, and stay in His word.
Young Christians (newly saved, or still establishing basic truths in our walk with God)
You are especially vulnerable to being tossed to and fro when you are newly saved. (Ephesians 4:14) You will tend to believe things you are told when they seem to come from a reliable source. Guard yourself, and pray about every decision. Even things as basic as what to wear, who to befriend, and where to go should be prayed over.
An unstable soul
Someone who tends to sway from one belief to another and back again has an unstable soul. (2 Peter 2:14) Be genuine. Don’t change your “beliefs” based on the people you are with in the moment. Search out scripture, have your own convictions, led by the Holy Spirit, and stand on those things. When you know what you believe comes from God, you will not be easily fooled by counterfeits.
Someone living in sin
When we live with unconfessed sin in our lives, we learn to please and satisfy the lust of the flesh (2 Peter 2:18). Whatever our flesh wants, we give it. Paul said he had to learn to bring his body into subjection. (1 Corinthians 9:27) Have you ever heard the phrase “die to self”, or “I die daily”? This means each day consciously making the decision to live for the things the Holy Spirit tells me to live for, and put off the things that my flesh wants that are no good for me.
Being entangled in things of this world
Be careful how many “worldly” things you get involved in. You may be a great witness, and living for God! But if you sign up to be part of a job, a social project, or even a family event that involves worldly things – beware! Getting tangled up with worldly things (2 Peter 2:20) can have a certain attraction for our flesh. That’s a battle you don’t want to fight! It’s very easy to convince yourself it’s okay to serve both flesh and God. The Bible tells us this is an impossible lifestyle to maintain. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
The Bible is our only hope
The only guard we have against falling prey to this evil world is the Bible. 2 Peter 3:18 says we must grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We get this knowledge from scripture. A steady diet of praying, worship, Bible preaching/teaching, and individual Bible studying will help you get to know and love Christ more. And in the process it will create a discernment in your heart against things of the world.
