
One of the most accurate words that can describe the world today is feigned. Why? Spend time just watching listening, and paying attention. Then ask God to open your eyes to see this world as He sees it. But be prepared to have your heart wrenched. If you don't want to know the truth, or how He really sees this world-stay glued to the TV, internet, and the cell phone. You'll stay programmed, and entertained in the world of illusion, they've created for you.
During the early days of the west the towns were built quickly, and many of the buildings were given “false fronts” to give an appearance of being more prosperous, better constructed, and more attractive than they actually were. Giving an appearance of integrity that wasn’t really there. A lot of individual’s and ministries are in this category. Some of them have the world’s wealth, the platforms, and sadly a lot of people following them-but they’re doctrines reveal they are hollow, false fronts.
The Apostle Peter describes this day we're living in well, and uses this word-feigned, because it fits well.
2Pe 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.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 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.
The definition of feigned:
feign 1. pretend something: to make a show or pretense of something She feigned ignorance. 2. invent something: to make up or fabricate something 3. copy somebody or something: to imitate or copy somebody or something
Peter goes on to describe these pretenders further, and their final judgment:
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Today’s churches and teachers can be found in Peter’s description, and the only way to sift out the false teachers and their "false fronts" is in knowing what scripture teaches on the given subject-and making up our minds to follow it. If they don’t they will be led blindly over the cliff, ultimately to their doom.
At this point I’ll say this; I also know a great many sincere people whom God has truly called have been accused of being pretender’s and had their own work high jacked by unscrupulous people in higher ranks of ministry who’ve used other peoples work-I’ve had it done to me.
Many very Godly teachers and pastor’s have been stopped, and their ministries destroyed by attacks of slander, rejection and what God intended for it brought to a halt. It wasn’t because the person wasn’t called-but because they were called. The bible is full of examples of those who gave their lives, and seemed to have been defeated in death. God’s estimation of success is far different than this world’s. Heaven will reveal some amazing testimonies of those who gave everything and seemed to die a failure-and find them in glory wearing their crowns.
When we find ourselves in this place we have to do what Paul taught in Philipians:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Paul dealt with the same obstacles, adversities, and deceit as we do today, and ultimately gave his life alone in a filthy prison-beheaded. The world would label him a failure. But Paul knew, and any true believer knows, he died in victory-he kept the faith, he finished the work God had given him, even in prison. His crown was won.
We can follow Paul's and all other disciples who've followed in faith, staying faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, true to the truth, without wavering.
I’ll leave this with a commentary on the subject, and an example of what can be called a false front that is very successful in the world’s eyes, but a false front according to the doctrine of the word of God-fit’s the description of Peter’s warnings.
There arose false prophets among the people. In 2Pe_1:19 the true prophets are referred to. Here the false prophets are spoken of in contrast. By "the people" Israel is meant. The term "false prophet" occurs several times in the Old Testament. For example, see Jer_6:13. Christ foretells the rise of false prophets (Mat_24:24).
There shall be false teachers. Teachers of false doctrines. Paul often warns against such teachers. See Act_20:30.
Damnable heresies. "Destructive heresies" in the Revision. Party divisions caused by false teaching. A heresy is a schism, or that which tends to produce schism.
Denying the Lord that bought them. This is the culmination of false teaching in the church and has been fulfilled by those professedly Christian teachers who reject the divinity of Christ and the atoning power of his blood.
Swift destruction. Sudden destruction.
Many shall follow their pernicious ways. "Lascivious doings" in the Revision. Immoral life is the result of false doctrine, and thus a reproach is brought upon the truth.
And in covetousness. By their "feigned words," crafty speeches, the false teachers shall use their followers as a source of gain. (B.W. Johnson comm)
Some thoughts to ponder: