False Teachers and Heresies

2 Peter

1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

* Calling someone pernicious implies that they have little regard for morals and are willing to harm others to get what they want.   Their ways and their teachings will have a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. 

They will twist the Truth and Scripture to fit their way of thinking and the desire to appease the will and wants of the flesh. 

This goes hand in hand with 2 Timothy 4:3-4

4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You will not be able to endure or stomach sound doctrine if you're not praying and reading your Bible daily and fasting often.  The will and desires of the flesh and what it wants or thinks the Scriptures are saying will override what the Scripture and the Spirit is truly saying to the Church in these last days. 

I've heard some discard what the Bible clearly states and warns against as merely being "cultural".  No, my friend,  if the Bible says it, it can not be disregarded just because it is something you do not want to believe.  

That is another reason why these newer translations which are translations of other translations are dangerous.  They are watering down the Truth of the Gospel to twist and  fit what they want to believe. Scriptures are omitted or changed....some subtly, others drastically.  

James 4:4...the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

This is not referring to people but rather worldly ways. If a teaching is drawing you closer to worldly ways rather than closer to godly ways, you are listening to a false teacher, whose ways and teachings are to appease the flesh and appeal to the crowds. They are not caring for your soul. They care more for popularity and notoriety. If they truly cared for your soul, they would be warning you against the wages of sin that leads to death.