Have you ever heard the adage about the dog and the pig? The saying about the dog is from the proverbs. The one about the pig is from an unknown source. But Peter puts them together to make a graphic point.

2 Peter 2:22
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.”

This is probably not a passage you want to read before or during breakfast. Admittedly, the first proverb quoted (Proverbs 26:11) is a bit graphic, but the truth is sound. The full proverb says, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” And, Peter continues, you can give a sow a good scrubbing, and she will go right back to rolling around in the mud.

The point? Outward changes cannot alter the nature of the animal.

Peter applies this truth to false teachers. False teachers are sellers of lies. And as good salespeople, they present themselves and their products well. Their appearance is sharp. Their presentation is engaging. Their products come in attractive packages. But even though they appear cleaned up on the outside, their nature is to wallow in the mud of deception and manipulation.

The problem? Follow false teachers, and you’ll go down with them.

Father, give us wisdom and discernment. Give us the desire to know the truth so that we will guard ourselves and those we love from error. In Jesus’ name. Amen.