2 Peter 2:15-16 15Leaving behind the straight path, they have gone astray, following the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the payment of unrighteousness, 16but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
Peter identifies the problem of false teachers and preachers. They have wandered from the right path. Apparently, they were on the right path at some point, but something enticed and tempted them to go astray. Peter could be reflecting on Jesus’ words about the narrow and wide gates from Matthew 7:13-14. Along the path of life, we often have to choose the best among many options. Most false teachers start off with the right motive and with healthy plans and thoughts.
For example, they may feel a call to ministry and go to a Christian university to study. Something happens at the university that causes them to question their faith. This may seem innocent and part of the process of helping students think new thoughts, a disconcerting experience that brings a reframing of their worldview. However, the students may not be grounded deep enough in the truth to determine what is false or theoretical in their education. After graduation, the students may become leaders in a church or even a pastor. The unhealthy seeds planted in their study begin to grow and produce unhealthy fruit.
Another example might be a preacher who becomes interested in a new idea from a theologian or another thinker. This new idea addresses a particular need or interest of the preacher. This idea may be more or less correct in a broad sense, but it opens itself to speculation. Speculation is dangerous because it can cause a persion to wander from the clear truth revealed in the Bible. One more example is when a leader is enticed by the praise of people. Selfishness and pride begin to take root. Soon, the message of the cross of commitment is distorted by the pursuit of health, wealth, and prosperity. In all these examples, the student, teacher, preacher, or leader wanders from the truth and begins to follow a lie.
What resources do we use to guide our decisions? The false teachers became enticed with the payment of material things. This verse echoes Jude 11, which also mentions Balaam, who prophesied for money and not for the truth. Money, fame, and prestige can become strong temptations for those who teach or lead. A donkey rebuked Balaam when he insisted on going with the Moabites to curse Israel (Numbers 22:31-41). This strange story tells how God used a donkey to block Balaam to get his attention. God warned Balaam to say only what God commanded. He was not to tell a lie or state his own thoughts but only the truth that came directly from God.
The lesson is clear: we must speak or listen only to what comes from God, not to human invention. God may not send a donkey to stop false prophets or to keep teachers from teaching heresy, but God does give warnings in other ways. God’s people must be aware of those who teach false doctrines. The best defense is to know the truth of the gospel well.