One of the most fun songs to come out of the Broadway show and movie “Wicked” was a tune called “Popular.” Written to be a light, bubbly piece that signals a turn in the story arc between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, and Galinda, the Good Witch, this song highlights what it means to be admired and sought after. In the story, Galinda was overpowered and enslaved by her need to be popular, which informed her decisions. After setting up Elphaba for humiliation by convincing her to wear a very unfortunate hat to the school dance, Galinda takes pity on her green-skinned roommate and decides to give her a complete make-over. Empty and self-important, Galinda boastfully sings her song from her privileged position. The message is “conform or be excluded.”

One verse foreshadows the political conflict that is about to happen in Oz and alludes to the character of those who pursue influence over the people. Galinda states she is reminded of “celebrated heads of state or especially great communicators” and asks the question, “Do they have brains or knowledge?” She then snorts out her response: “Don’t make me laugh! They were popular!” In the land of Oz, power and status do not go to morally qualified leaders. No indeed, leadership is given to those whose popularity lures people in with their false messaging about so-called freedom … much like the false teachers that Peter warned about in our reading today. 

2 Peter 2 (Common English Bible)

But false prophets also arose among the people. In the same way, false teachers will come among you. They will introduce destructive opinions and deny the master who bought them, bringing quick destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow them in their unrestrained immorality, and because of these false teachers the way of truth will be slandered. ³ In their greed they will take advantage of you with lies. 

In our continuation of 2 Peter this week, we remember that this letter is a charge and an encouragement to become strong, godly, and virtuous followers of Christ. It was written to the undesignated churches addressed in 1 Peter, including churches in Asia Minor, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1). Paul’s letters were also known to many of those churches.

Today’s reading opens up with a stern warning to these churches about the “false teachers among you,” indicating that the problem was not just coming from outside pagan influences. False teachers work in secrecy as they bring in destructive heresies and lies. We see echoes of Peter’s warning in other New Testament writings found in Mark 13:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 

Their motive was greed. Their method was exploitation through false propaganda. The effect was that many people were lured away from the truth. The result was followers who walked away from their faith and embraced this new popular immorality. 

The presumptive delay of Jesus’ Second Coming created quite a challenge for the early church. When it became obvious that Jesus wasn’t coming back anytime soon, wicked operatives saw a small gap of eschatological skepticism start to grow in the confused people’s expectations, and they squeezed through it like a big rat in a city apartment building.

The death of the first Christian generation created a crisis of faith. Living in this diminishing hope, it was easy for false teachers to emerge on the scene with their enticing promises of freedom and moral laxity. Their claim that the Judgment that had been associated with Jesus’ return was now suspended was received with acceptance. Freed from the apostolic demand of living a holy life, this false teaching encouraged new and weak believers to pursue pleasure and self-gratification without penalty or restraint.

Peter’s words were harsh. He pulled no punches in confronting the dangers of this way of thinking. He is not so much being judgmental as he was expressing deep concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the people. Following the false teaching would leave them spiritually bereft and indeed would not protect them from the Judgment to come. He was attempting to persuade his readers to uphold their righteousness in spite of the challenge posed by the wicked false teachers. Peter was literally fighting for their souls.

We also live in an era of false teaching, freedom that enslaves, self aggrandizement, and false propaganda filled with lies. We would be wise to heed Peter’s words and focus on the Truth of Jesus Christ. In order to do that, we must be students of God’s Word every day.

¹⁶These false teachers promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of immorality; whatever overpowers you, enslaves you.

What enslaves you? Have you been overpowered? Are your addictions, cravings, and desires distracting you from your call to holy living?

Be honest. Are you enslaved to your phone and electronic devices?

God can use his power to help you get out from underneath the things that have overpowered you. You don’t have to be a slave anymore.

Free Roaming Iguana