You Are a Slave of What Controls You

II Peter 2:17–22
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Peter goes on to describe these false teachers as “wells without water” (v. 17). Can you picture finding a well of water in the middle of a desert and then discover that it was dry. In conclusion Peter says it is better to be ignorant of the way of the truth than to know it and then depart from it. He compares this to a dog who returns to his own vomit and a pig who returns to the mud puddle. They brag out loud about their stupid nonsense (v. 18). And by being vulgar and crude, they trap people who have barely escaped from living the wrong kind of life. They promise freedom to everyone (v. 19). But they are merely slaves of filthy living, because people are slaves of whatever controls them.

Peter is speaking of a person who has learned about Christ and how to be saved. When they learned about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they escaped from the filthy things of this world (v. 20). But they are again caught up and controlled by these filthy things, and now they are in worse shape than they were at first. They would have been better off if they had never known about the right way (v. 21). Even after they knew what was right, they turned their backs on the holy commandments that they were given. What happened to them is just like the true saying,"A dog will come back to lick up its own vomit (v. 22). A pig that has been washed will roll in the mud.”

Application

If I refuse to follow God I will follow my own sinful desires and become enslaved to whatever my body wants. If I submit my life to Christ, He will free me from the slavery of sin.