II Peter 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
It must have been quite the shock for Balaam to hear his donkey talking to him. He was quite a proud man. He assumed he was a man of God. He was impressed with the fact that a foreign nation would be coming to him for help.
Even though he was a very proud and foolish man, he had enough sense to know he could not stand before Israel and curse them. He still had a conscience and it was not fully seared.
There are many false teachers today who are following the footsteps of Balaam. They are impressed with the fact they can travel to different countries and spread their lies. Their followers are also quite impressed that their leader is so sought after.
With the advent of the internet and the developments that have taken place there, it is now easier than ever to have a voice in other countries. The world has far more “unstable souls” than stable souls. Most of those who are unstable would not see themselves in such a way. They assume they are quite stable. They assume they are on the right path and they take offence to anyone suggesting they are going the wrong way.
There is no substitute for careful, systematic Bible study. When a person is truly born again, the Holy Spirit indwells that person. He works in the heart of the saved person to draw that person closer to the Lord.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
This does not happen through visions and dreams. It comes through humble study of God’s Word. Self-study is good, but self-study needs to be tested as to its truthfulness. That is why a true, local church is important.
In our text, Peter was led to continue to warn of the false teachers that were around in his time, and will be around in each generation.
They are wells without water. Years ago we purchased a dairy farm. The former owner had lost his wife and he had lost interest in farming. The farm was run down when we bought it. In the earlier history of that farm, it had one well servicing the barn and the house. That well was about twenty feet deep. At one point prior to our purchasing the farm, the highway that was adjacent to our farm had been rebuilt. When it was rebuilt, it affected the water supply to our farm. The previous farmer had bored a new well, much deeper than the original one, in a different location. That had satisfied the needs for the livestock for a time.
The first year we moved onto that farm, there was quite a severe drought in the area. Both of our wells were unable to supply the needs of our cattle. There was another well close to the house, but it was also not a very productive well.
That was a challenging time for me as I was trying to find enough water to satisfy the needs of the livestock. It gave me a sick feeling to think that I could not supply their needs.
We called in a well-driller and had a new well drilled. We found some water, but it was not a good supply either. We did not want to spend any more money on that venture at that time, and so we worked with those wells for over a year. Then we called that driller back and we drilled in a different area and found an abundance of water. That was a relief for us.
A well without water is not worth much. A religious leader who refuses to tell the truth is worth even less. Eternity is a long time. Without knowing the Lord, hell is the only option. Jesus warned:
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Most people are impressed by numbers. Large crowds are more impressive to most, than truth. We have seen political rallies with large crowds, but that has not translated to that party winning power. We have seen and still do see churches that can draw large crowds, but that too does not automatically translate to sound spiritual teaching.
In my years as a pastor, I have pastored a church that grew to over one hundred people per service. I have also pastored churches that remain much smaller than that. It is important to stand upon the truth and let God build His church. Catholicism has grown and been quite dominant since its inception. It has never been right. Mormonism remains an attractive religion for some as well. Some of the liberal groups like the United Church, the Anglicans, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc. are losing people. They have been wells without water for a long time, and finally the younger generation is realizing that. It is better to stay home than to go to those ungodly religious places. Of course it is much better to find a true church than to stay home. In the end each person will meet the Lord. Without knowing Him, Hell is the only option. Good looks, or money will not deceive Jesus Christ.
Peter warned that the end for those places and those who follow false religion is disaster. The mist of darkness is all that is awaiting them. It is interesting that Hell is described as a place of fire, and yet it is also described as a place of darkness. Obviously God is speaking of spiritual darkness. Without the Lord, darkness is all there is. People will flock to a sporting event or to a music concert or to a movie, or some other things to try to satisfy the emptiness in their heart. They are never satisfied. They always need more and cost is not a factor. They will spend money to try to find something to satisfy.
Those who are truly born again, can be content with belonging to a true local church. They can be content with hearing the sound preaching and teaching of God’s Word. They do not need fancy flashing screens with graphics flashing back at them. They gain understanding as they read and study God’s Word together. They have confidence and assurance of where they are going and that assurance comes from following the truth, not from listening to lies.
Be careful what you are trusting in. An empty well won’t do you any good. You may think it is providing some satisfaction for now, but it does not satisfy the true need of your soul.
God’s peace and contentment cannot be manufactured. It must be received by faith and when it is received, it is real. It is solid. It is satisfying.
Pastor Bartel