The Old Testament people of God had to sift through the prophets to sort out the true from the false. These false prophets spoke contrary to the true prophets, but where readily received by the people since their message was more tolerable and culturally relevant. Interestingly, Peter does not make the comparison and tell the church that they will also have to sift through false prophets. Instead, Peter warns the church that they will face pseudo-didaskaloi, or "false teachers." It appears these false teachers are not claiming to speak for God as prophets (or, false prophets). These false teachers are going to teach their own ideas and reject the authority of the revealed Word of God.

Peter identifies the false teachers with these eight points:

1. "secretly" - the very fact they are not known by the title "prophets" indicates they will move about in a secretive, stealth mode and not use bold proclamations. But, instead they will passively "introduce," "deny," "bring...truth into disrepute," "exploit," and "stories." These things are not bold, but manipulative.
2. "introduce destructive heresies" - The Greek word for "heresies" is haireseis (literally "choice") which today means a deviation from orthodox teaching, but in the first century probably still referred to divisions into a party or a sect. People would have to choose between which sect or party they would align with.
3. "denying the sovereign Lord " - "sovereign" is from despotes. The false teachers deny the authority of the Lord. Since, they are teachers the obvious area of their denial of the Lord's authority is his teaching and his revealed Word of God. They will teach their own ideas, philosophies and views.
4. "many will follow" - Peter guarantees that these false teachers and their imitation doctrine, immoral motives and manipulative behavior will be successful. Many people will follow this pervesion of the teaching ministry of the church.
5. "bring the way of truth into disrepute" - the corrupt life style of the false teachers will bring the ministry of the church into sharp criticism and open rejection due to the infiltration of false teachers.
6. "in their greed" - Here is the motive for false teaching: power, people, pride and profit.
7. "will exploit you" - "exploit is emporeuomai and is from the commercial world and literally means "make money out of."
8. "stories they have made up" - "made up" is from the Greek word plastos (English "plastic") which refers to anything that is formed, fabricated or molded. This word is used in a Greek phrase that indicated deceitful speech. Pseudo arguments intended to make money and gain personal profit.

The best way to resist the false teachers is to secure the believers critical thinking ability by teaching them the truth.

"“The Christian does not think God will love us because
we are good,
but that God will make us good because He loves us.” 
- C. S. Lewis

There are 83 million Bibles distributed each year.