Their Devilish Seductions

Describing Balaam-like ones, Peter writes:  "These are fountains [or, wells] without water, and mists [or, clouds] driven by a violent storm." For a thirsty traveler in a desert, a dry well may mean death.  No wonder "the blackness of darkness has been reserved" for those who resemble such things! "for  they utter swelling expressions of no profit,"  Peter continues:  "and by the desires of the flesh and by loose habits they entice those who are just escaping from people who conduct themselves in error."  They seduce the inexperienced by "promising them freedom,"  Peter says, while they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption." -2 Peter 2:17-19; Galatians 5:13. 

The seduction s of such corrupt teachers are devilish. They may say, for example:  'God knows we are weak and subject to passion. So if we indulge ourselves and satisfy our sexual desires, God will be merciful. If we confess our sin, he will forgive us just as he did when  we first came into the truth.' Recall that the Devil uses a somewhat comparable approach with Eve, promising her that she could sin with impunity. In Eve's case, he claimed that sin against God would give her enlightenment and freedom. (Genesis 3:4, 5) If we should happen  to encounter such a corrupt person associating with the congregation, we have an obligation to protect ourselves as well as others by reporting the individual to responsible ones in the Christian congregation. -Leviticus 5:1. 

Next time: Protected by Accurate Knowledge

From the Watchtower magazine, 1997