The Christians at Pergamos, for instance, accepted the teachings of the Nicolaitans and of Balaam. We are not too sure exactly what the Nicolaitans taught. Followers of Nicolas may have been one of first deacons. Balaam was the mercenary prophet whom Balek lived to curse Israel in Numbers 22 - 25. When God would not allow Balaam to carry out Balek's order, the prophet showed Balek how to defeat the Hebrews by leading them into idolatry and sexual uncleanness.
False doctrine seems to be accompanied by immorality very often.
The Devil attacked the Ephesians by causing them to let their affection for Christ grow cool. He tried to corrupt the Smyrnans through suffering. In Pergamos, he seduced Christians by getting them to allow heathen practices in the church. Corruption is often the price the church pays when it enjoys the favor of government. Nicholas drifted into Greek philosophy and began to accept its tenet that the spiritual part of man is inherently good and the material part inherently evil.