How Do You Stay Spiritually Stable? | 2 Peter 3:17–18

Welcome to The Daily.

HEADS UP: We are going to fly through 2 Peter 3 this week, and then Jude, which is a one-chapter letter in the same Journal. But our next study is Esther. I have titled this one, FOR SUCH A TIME: Courage When God Seems Silent. Grab the Esther Journal now. If you are a Project23 donor giving $35/month or more, do not purchase one; we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our text today is 2 Peter 3:17-18:

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. — 2 Peter 3:17-18

Peter closes his letter with both a warning and a command.

The warning is clear: Take care that you are not carried away by error.

Deception has movement. It slowly pulls people away from truth until they lose their spiritual stability. This rarely happens all at once. It begins when we stop paying attention, loosen our grip on Scripture, tolerate compromise, or follow voices that tell us what we want to hear.

That is why Peter tells us to stay alert.

But staying alert does not mean becoming obsessed with every false teacher, cultural lie, or theological error. Peter gives us a better defense:

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

You stay spiritually stable by continuing to grow closer to Jesus.

Grace keeps you from trusting your own performance. Knowledge keeps you anchored in the truth about Christ. Together, they form a faith that is humble, discerning, and difficult to deceive.