Scammers in the Church - 2 Peter 2:10-22

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Growing in grace means being on guard against false teachers who are mastered by their lusts rather than by Jesus. These fraudsters ruin churches by promising freedom but delivering slavery.

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Fraudsters ruin lives. Recently, two scammers, Alan Barratt and Susan Dalton, were jailed after stealing millions from hardworking people’s pensions—money meant to bring security in old age. They promised freedom and delivered ruin. One victim, lost over £100,000 and now faces working for life instead of retiring in peace.

In 2 Peter 2:10–22, the apostle Peter issues a similar warning—but not about financial scammers. He’s sounding the alarm about spiritual frauds: false teachers inside the church. These people don’t just steal pensions—they lead souls astray, ruin lives, and harm the witness of the church. Peter's words are strong because the threat is serious. The big picture of the letter remains wonderfully positive – to encourage us to grow in the grace and likeness of Jesus through our knowledge of him (2 Peter 1:3, 5-7; 2 Peter 3:18). But growing in grace also means being on guard.

Don’t Be Surprised or Shaken

Peter reminds his readers that false teachers have always existed (2:1), and that God knows how to deal with them. Believers must not be caught off guard. Nor should we panic—God is just and will rescue the godly while holding the unrighteous accountable (2:9).

But now, Peter takes us deeper into what these false teachers are like—the "marks of the men"—and what effect their ministry has—the "marks of their ministry."

The Marks of the Men: Power, Sex, and Money

Peter describes these men as bold, arrogant, and rebellious against authority—rejecting even the Lordship of Christ (2:10). They despise correction and scoff at spiritual realities, behaving as though they are above all, even angels. But Peter exposes the truth: they are not above others—they’re enslaved by their base desires – the classic unholy trinity of money, sex, and power.

They are driven by power—they want control but refuse to submit to godly authority. They are obsessed with sex—their eyes are “full of adultery,” constantly pursuing pleasure, even within the church (2:14). And they are consumed by money— “experts in greed,” Peter calls them, comparing them to Balaam who betrayed God’s people for money (see 2:15, and Numbers 22).

Though they appear powerful and wise, Peter strips away the illusion. They are like “unreasoning animals,” controlled by instincts, not by Jesus. Their lives are tragic parodies of Christian leadership.

The Marks of Their Ministry: Empty Promises and Enslaved Lives

What do these teachers produce? Peter says they mouth “boastful words,” appealing to people’s desires, and drawing in those just beginning to escape the grip of sin (2:18). They promise freedom—“follow Jesus and live however you want”—but deliver slavery (2:19). It’s the lie of every addiction: indulge your appetite and find freedom. But it’s a trap.

Peter reveals the deeper truth: everyone is a slave to something. The only real freedom is found in being a servant (literally, a slave) of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1). Every other master—whether money, sex, or power—will ultimately destroy us.

In one of the strongest rebukes in Scripture, Peter says it would be better for these teachers never to have known the truth than to have heard it and rejected it (2:21). They’ve returned to their vomit and their mud—like dogs and pigs, their nature unchanged.

A Call to Discernment

This passage is a sober call for every Christian—especially as we consider leadership in the church. God does not demand perfection from leaders, but he does care deeply about what they are mastered by. Are they ruled by their desires—or ruled by Christ?

False freedom is a lie. Real freedom is found in surrender to Jesus.

Talk Headings (2 Peter 2:10-22)

1. False Teachers - Marks of the Men