Waterless Springs

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. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
2 Peter 2:17–22
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Waterless Springs
          On the border of Israel and Jordan lies the Dead Sea. In an arid and hostile land, a large body of water is a welcome sight. Except of course in this instance. It is so salty that vegetation cannot grow and the water is not good for irrigation or drinking. It is a waterless spring so to speak. It is worse than having no water at all because it entices weary travelers to come to it seemingly offering relief but giving none. This is what Peter is warning us about concerning false teachers of the Word. They offer smooth words and empty platitudes which appear to be what we need, only to be empty of any real substance. They draw us away from the true springs of life found in God’s Word. The salty and bitter lies of the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh, like a mirage in the desert, lead us further away from Christ, our only hope of salvation. For He has living water to quench our thirst. And when we are given drink from His well, we never thirst again. His life, death, and resurrection bring forth a spring of eternal life for us.