Hearts trained in Greed

“They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin.” The language Peter uses to describe false teachers is not metaphorical. It is stark, straightforward, and scary. Sexual sin was then and is now a prominent characteristic of false teachers. Along with their boldness and arrogance to believe that they can say and do anything they want, their lust and greed makes them believe they can have anything, or anyone, they want. Perhaps Peter was thinking of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, which became a part of the fabric of early church teaching. Words like this had never been heard before and were probably rejected by casual or nominal believers, and certainly by false teachers. What were the words? Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Sexual sin begins with the eyes, and Peter says these men were like predators, looking for the next person to corrupt. And they cannot stop, their lust is insatiable, never satisfied, as they see every woman as a potential adulteress. Who are the ones most likely to fall victim to these predators? Peter says, “They entice unstable souls.” Those who are unsettled, not grounded, and therefore the most vulnerable. It reminds me of how cults grow so often. The charismatic and heretical leader looks for the young and vulnerable, the bruised and unloved, the isolated and alone, and he entices them into the fold with promises that they will be loved and cared for there. Instead, they will be used and discarded.

Another marker for false teachers is greed. Peter says, “they have hearts trained in greed.” He uses a word and a concept that was very familiar in that Greek culture. We Americans didn’t invent gyms and places to work out and train our bodies. The Greeks in Peter’s day and way before that were committed to physical training. Green writes, “There were centers founded for the physical training of young citizens, which then became venues for mental as well as physical education, serving as secondary schools in the community.” We are body, soul, and spirit, and all three must be exercised. Paul recognized this and wrote, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” He saw the connection between discipline of the body and the effectiveness of his ministry to other. He also wrote, “…Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” There is action required, training that is intentional and committed.

But these false teachers were also committed to training. They actively exercised themselves in cultivating a love for money. They trained their hearts in covetousness and greed, yearning for more, filled with envy of those who have what they want. I was talking with a man this week about the power of addiction, as he volunteers at a ministry to those who are addicted to drugs. We have all seen it or read about it. An addict is constantly thinking about his next fix, and his mind and body are both tormented until that fix is found. His master is his drug. But the drug that gives him temporary pleasure brings long-term pain and destruction right along with it. It is the same for the man or woman who is never satisfied with what they have but are consumed with lust for more. Their master is money. And it consumes their very soul. Again, Paul warns us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” Those who find themselves spending most of their time thinking about money are on dangerous ground.

Peter said, “there will be false teachers.” And there are. The Bible gives us markers to look for, and warnings for our own souls as well.