“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)
Peter knew that the time of his death was approaching. Therefore he desired to impart some final words of exhortation and teaching so that those believers he was leaving behind would continue to grow in Christ and hold fast to the truth of the gospel. Peter reminded his audience that they already possessed in Christ Jesus by the Spirit and by the word everything they needed to discern the truth and expose and respond to false teachings. They were to be wary of false teachers, a problem that plagued the Church from almost the very beginning. The words of the message proclaimed by false teachers arose not from the heart and mind of God, but out of the false prophet’s mind or imagination. However, believers can be sure of the divine origin and authority of the gospel which he and the other apostles preached to them because they received the gospel from Jesus Himself, most clearly at Jesus’ transfiguration, as Peter pointed out. Jesus is not only Savior he is the Son of God, God incarnate. His word is divine and our ultimate authority.
As long as the church preaches His word it teaches the very words of God. As long as believers know the truth of the gospel and hold fast to it they are safe from error. But this knowledge does not come automatically nor does spiritual maturity. Although believers possess all the necessary resources they need to live and grow in Christ, growth requires their active and energetic participation. As Christians we must actively study the word of God for it will show us the light of truth which can be applied to every situation, trial or temptation we may face. That way we will not fall prey to the lies of false teachers even those who come in the Lord’s name.