2 Peter 2:14

2 Peter 2:14 ‘having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having. heart trained in greed, accursed children;'

‘having eyes full of adultery' -‘They lust after every girl they see; they view every female as. potential adulteress. Peter makes another shrewd psychological observation. Lascivious thoughts, if dwell upon and acted upon, become dominant. It becomes impossible for them to look at any woman without reflecting on…the possibilities of persuading her to gratify their lusts.' (Green p. 111)

‘that never cease from sin' -‘as though there is nothing they can see that does not suggest and encourage sin.' (Lucas/Green p. 112). ‘Those here described cannot cease from sin; that is, he cannot as long as he is ruled and dominated by such passion. The immoral stares would cease if his heart was clean and pure.' (Oberst p. 311) ‘eyes never at rest from sin' (NEB). ‘eyes never tired of sin' (TCNT) As long as their thoughts dwell on sin, they could never break the cycle of sin. The only way to stop the habitual practice of sin, or to break chronic sin, is to get control of your thoughts (Mark 7:20).

‘enticing unstable souls' -‘enticing'-‘allure, deceive' (Thayer p. 128). ‘to lure by bait' (Vine p. 36). ‘unstable'-They are actively recruiting. ‘Entice…a fishing word which describes their careful luring of unwary Christians.' (Lucas/Green p. 112) ‘they captivate the unstable ones' (Phi); ‘They know how to win wavering souls to their purpose' (Knox).

Points to Note:

Here we see the great importance of being grounded in the faith (Colossians 1:23). 2. These individuals do not try to deceive the strong, but they look for wavering, unstable, and naïve individuals (Romans 16:18). Often preying upon the recently converted (2 Peter 2:18). 3. They know how to entice people, they know how to play upon people's discontentment, discouragement, and ignorance. They are experts in looking for easy marks. 4. Spiritual growth, taking your Christianity seriously is so important. Failing to grow is simply setting yourself up, so someone can take advantage of you.

‘having. heart trained in greed' -‘trained'-Note that they weren't born greedy. Rather, they have trained themselves to become greedy. Every sin is something that we have learned or acquired. ‘The word “trained”…from the same root as our word “gymnasium”..to exercise vigorously in any thing.' (Oberst p. 312) We either have the choice to exercise our minds with godly things (Hebrews 5:14) or the ungodly. Our choice in this area will determine what type of person we become and where we will spend eternity. Let the reader really think before they once again engage in some chronic sin that has plagued them. Every time you give in, you are making it that much more difficult to quit the practice! When you commit sin, you are strengthening evil in your life.

‘accursed children' -‘accursed'-Compare with (Ephesians 2:2; John 17:12). People who have made themselves accursed in the sight of God and who also are. curse to others. ‘This sickening picture is summed up in two words: “accursed brood”,. Hebrew-style phrase which is literally “children of. curse”.' (Lucas/Green p. 112) ‘God's curse is on them!' (NEB)

The Way Of Balaam: