These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
2 Peter 2:17-19
The need for true discernment is all the more evident from these verses. There is a certain fascination about these false teachers, says Peter (19), for what they say sounds impressive and spiritual at first. It is only at a later stage (and often by then people are ensnared) that they are seen to be what they are, empty and vain. 'Wells without water' is a particularly graphic description. They have no power, in spite of their great swelling words, to give the water of life to thirsty souls. They promise liberty, but being in bondage themselves to Satan they can only serve to ensnare their victim also.
This raises a general question for us also. Are we able to distinguish between what sounds impressive and spiritual, but is in fact carnal and fleshly, and true spiritual ministry? We must certainly beware of the hypercritical spirit and resist the temptation to sit in judgment on a man's ministry, but it is very necessary, amid the welter of differing emphases that are made today, to discern that all is not gold that glitters, and to distinguish between a ministry that breaks the true bread of life to men and one that is merely a thing of straw. Nor is this merely a question of using the 'right language' and the accepted phraseology: Anyone can speak 'the language of Canaan' - even Satan mouths it at times - but this does not guarantee the unction of the Holy Spirit, and without this holy unction men may speak with the tongues of angels but their ministry will not be blessed to others. It is this that we must learn to recognise and long for, be we preachers or hearers of the Word. It is the indispensable hallmark of reality in spiritual life.