Peter isn’t criticising for the sake of it. He is just stating the truth of what he saw.
“These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” (2 Peter 2 v 17-19)
I know what it is like to drive to a place in northern Africa where streams have flown for generations only to discover a complete dry river bed. I’ve also known the disappointment of the people when they see storm clouds gather with the promise of rain but it simply dissipates.
Peter says that’s what these preachers/teachers are doing. They promise refreshment and blessing but they do not deliver. In fact they are incapable of doing so. They leave people disappointed. People have not given up on their faith in God but they do walk away from church because they did not experience the refreshment that was promised them. A few days ago I watched a church service online. It had beautiful songs to God; a testimony; a report from a mission’s trip; a call for help from the Foodbank; an engaging sermon with an appeal for prayer at the end if people needed it. I felt refreshed. I know there are a great many churches like that one. But then there are others where because of heresy there is simply nothing. It is just noise and promise but it doesn’t lead people to Jesus who gives the refreshing Spirit. Recently I talked with a Church leader who hadn’t yet prayed for anyone to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Their reason wasn’t a lack of opportunity but they themselves didn’t know this experience. If you haven’t tasted water you cannot lead anyone to the water to drink.
The freedom that false teachers promise is not freedom in God’s Spirit. It is rather a freedom that is no freedom at all. Be yourself. Come as you are stay as you are. Again if you are not truly free then how can you bring freedom? Promises, promises, just promises that blow in the wind. And why is this? Peter says it is because they themselves are enslaved and do not know freedom. They will pay the full price for this deception.
Missions Paul 