Speaking Evil of Dignities – (2 Peter 2:10)

Thursday, September 5, 2024
Speaking Evil of Dignities
“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of un-
cleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they,
selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”
(2 Peter 2:10)
In context here, Peter is speaking of the false teachers who
would later come into the Christian community, leading many
to “follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way
of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:2). Among other
characteristics, these teachers would “despise government”
and “speak evil of dignities.”
In context, it seems clear that the “government” Peter has in
mind primarily is the divine government that was established
by God for the universe (the “principalities and powers in
heavenly places”-Ephesians 3:10) and the “dignities” refer
to the angels-even those that have rebelled and now follow
Satan. Jude notes in a similar passage that even the archangel
Michael spoke respectfully to Satan, the premier fallen angel
(Jude 1:8-9).
Therefore, it is carnally arrogant and dangerous for men
to insult or ridicule such powerful beings. They are for God
to judge and deal with in His own time and way.
And the same must be true of human “dignities” and
“government.” We must remember that “the powers that be
are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1) and that “the most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he
will,” and sometimes He even “setteth up over it the basest
of men” (Daniel 4:17).
Even if we live in a republic and can participate in the
selection of our leaders, our main responsibility is to “be
subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to
be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be
no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men”
(Titus 3:1-2). HMM

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Days of PraiseDaily Bible Readings and Devotional Commentaries
September · October · November 2024
“Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good;
and our land shall yield her increase.”
(Psalm 85:12)
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Introduction to
DAYS OF PRAISE
“[Jesus] saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sab-
bath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held
their peace. And when he had looked round about on them
with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts … “
(Mark 3:4-5)
Dear Christian friend,
Thank you for gathering with us each day this fall as we
read our Bibles together and seek to apply it to our lives.
Though it’s quite appropriate to think on the Lord Jesus’
humility, deep patience, and profound love, we must always
remember that He’s perfect in every way-including in His
anger. It’s likely that none of us is free from being self-willed
or having other manifestations of a hardened heart. Our text
above reminds us that this more than displeases the Lord
Jesus. Oh, how we need Him enabling us to please Him (Ro-
mans 7:24-25).
Toward that end, I pray that the Holy Spirit will use these
short Bible studies to more fully conform us to the Lord
Jesus’ image and the love of our good heavenly Father.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Randy J. Guliuzza, President
Contributors:
HMM Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.
HMM III Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.
JDM John D. Morris, Ph.D.
CCM Charles (Chas) C. Morse, D.Min.
BDT Brian D. Thomas, Ph.D.

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