2 Peter 2:22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

It is difficult to break old habits and ways of thought. Peter is quoting from Proverbs 26:11 and an unknown proverb to illustrate the point that the false teachers will not change. Their hearts are hardened. They have descended so far in their thinking that they will not change. They return to what is unclean. Their conversion and faith are not sincere and real. They are too much into self and materialism. They tasted Christ but returned to the world. These proverbs illustrate the seriousness of the apostasy of the false teachers. Why do people still fall back into the world? The temptations of the world are difficult to overcome, especially when a person has had habits related to these temptations. It can be very difficult to overcome old habits. It is one thing to talk in theory about crucifying the old self and being remade  into a new self (Ephesians 4:22-24). But it is another to live in obedience and make this change real. What does it take? A big factor is having a companion for the journey, a mentor or friend who can pray, encourage, and hold us accountable. Being part of a loving community (church) is crucial for this to happen. Churches must not take lightly the challenges new or weak believers face when it comes to temptations from their old lives. We must cut out the old ways, which may require some pain of finding a new path and forming new habits.

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