Jude 17-19
Jude, brother to Jesus and James...a man of few words...a man with powerful words. This letter, though comparably short in length, is not short on depth. It bears much to chew on and digest in our spirit. In these verses, Jude boldly offers a firm exhortation...
"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold." (v.17)
We are compelled to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, remember the Word. The Bible does not just reveal factual, historical accounts; it is living and active...it is effectual...it is eternal. In order to remember the Word, we must first know it and fix our minds upon it. When we abide in the Word, it is sown into our spirit-man.
"They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." (v. 18)
In numerous verses in the Scriptures, the disciples warn of false teachers and heretical teachings that will permeate the body of Christ. (2 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Titus 1:15-16; 2 John 1:9-11; Romans 16:17-18; Col. 2:8, just to list a few) False teachers do not likely come in appearance and with messages flagged with flagrant warnings. They are extremely subtle and appealing to the eyes and the ears. They will weave in a sprinkling of Truth to season their lies. False teachers will flirt with desires of the heart that come from broken places and false belief systems. They will work into minds that are not being conformed to the mind of Christ.
"There are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (v. 19)
Once they have their followers' divided attention from God, false teachers seduce people into spiritual adultery. One common indicator is that the teacher is worshiped above Jehovah God, and the teacher's words are held as authority before and above the Word of God. Instead of offering a list of heretical teachings and themes, I encourage you to know the Word...to test every spirit of teaching (even mine) against the Word of God (I John 4:1-6).
Yes, every pastor and teacher who serve the Living God is going to mis-speak, misinterpret, misstep on occassion. I have inadvertently done this myself...and work to correct it as soon as it is discerned. However, the false teacher has an established pattern or progression of denying the work and power and authority of Christ, minimizes the Scriptures, and dillutes the working of the Holy Spirit.
Our guard against this prevailing work of the enemy is to have God's Word so richly cultivated in the tender soil of our hearts that as soon as false teaching leaves the lips of the false teacher, our very spirit will quicken within us and rise up with Truth to cast down the lies. My prayer is that we would take personal responsibility to grow and abound in the knowledge of the Lord, the depth of His Word, the increase of discernment, and the fullness of His authority...in the precious and most Holy name of Jesus.
Gloriously in Him ~~
Tammy
No comments:
Post a Comment