"The reference "2 Peter 2:3, Romans 16:18" points to warnings in the Bible about false teachers who use deceptive words for personal gain, exploiting the unstable and leading people away from truth, emphasizing that believers should beware of such smooth talk and instead grow in Christ's grace and knowledge.

2 Peter 2:3 warns that these deceivers will exploit people with false words for greed, while Romans 16:18 cautions against those who serve their own appetites and use flattery, urging believers to discern and avoid them to stay grounded in faith."

I always like the parts where many of the lead characters in the OT are among the biggest reprobates in history and literature; Noah's drunken sleep with his daughters (their fault not his of course according to the writer!).

Abraham diddling the maid with his elderly wife's permission so as get a child, Jacob giving his symbol of office to a 'ho on the side of the road, King David sending a friend to the front lines of battle to die so he could bonk the wife... his son Solomon the Wise in his old age building Temples to other Gods such as Ba-al to please his many wives... I could go on.

The reason the OT is different than almost any other similar ancient writing is than most such records were ordered and approved of by Kings and Emperors to highlight their Narrative, not to record their actual deeds and histories.

Puritanism is radical misunderstanding of the religion; Christianity is NOT a Meritocracy; it's a gift. (not a grift!)