Having children, we always taught them about safety in the house. We warned them about things like electrical appliances, tools, outlets and even water. But as the children got older, we gave them more freedom because they knew more and we trusted them to know the dangers of the things around the house.

But now that we have grandchildren and when they come and visit, the same lessons are taught as well as the same precautions. We try and baby-proof our home with locks on the cupboards where the cleaning supplies are kept. We put silicone corner covers on furniture so they do not bonk their heads. We installed gates so they do not go up and down the stairs unsupervised. Now, they probably wonder why we are so serious about this stuff. We were serious because we loved them and wanted to keep them from harm.

But I can remember when I was a kid. I was given the same warnings, but like many children, I was curious and there were times I ignored those warnings. One time I tried sticking a fork into an outlet. Fortunately, I experienced little more than a big shock, but the outcome could have been much worse. Choices…

Peter has the same kind of tone when he tells the church family to beware of false prophets and false teachers, using four historic examples. In 2 Peter 2:4-10 we read, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.”

This text gives us a picture of what happened in history but not just from our earthly perspective, rather we get a picture of the spiritual side of things. Some of the things Peter writes about are what went on behind the scenes.

Firstly, we read that some angels in Heaven rebelled against God, were kicked out, have no possibility of salvation, and are continuing their fight against God on the earth by empowering false religious leaders to twist the Scriptures. It is the same old trick of the evil Dragon in the Garden of Eden.

Secondly, God patiently waited 120 years for people to repent of their constant sin, even sending Noah to preach and providing an ark as a means of escape. Everyone kept laughing until it started raining and they had to start swimming. The world started over.

Third, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were filled with such constant sin and evil that even the two angels God sent were chosen to be sexually assaulted by the men in those towns. So, God pronounced His judgement on both cities and they were consumed by fire.

Fourth, Lot was a believer who foolishly moved his family to live in Sodom and Gomorrah. God had them run for their lives before He torched the town. But his wife longed for her old lifestyle and when she turned back, was reduced to ash. We read in Genesis 19 that he escaped to the hills. Unfortunately, his daughters devised a plan to get him drunk and have sex with him. We learned that the outcome of that sin were the peoples who would be the thorn in Israel’s side for generations. It just goes to show, not only do we need to get out of hell, we need to get hell out of us.

In each example, there is a perversion of passion, and rebellion where divine authority is despised. The same demonic spirits are at work every day, including our day, and always trying to find a way to entice Christians to join the conga line to the pit.

Thankfully, for those whose eyes are open, God always provides a way of escape as He knows how to rescue the godly from trials. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” The key is this – when trials come choose God and godliness.

Let me close with this one final question. In light of what God has done for you and what He has revealed to you in His Word, how has God rescued you from self-destruction? Will you choose the pathway to life or death?