We have been [studying in our morning service] for a while now that Jude’s succinct epistle is a warning to believers that false teachers will “creep in” among them and seek to infiltrate the church. This whole letter admonishes Christians to be on alert, to recognize heresy, and “contend” for the faith (verse 3). How ironic that defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ must come from within churches that profess “sound doctrine”. It is of the utmost importance that true Christians possess and exercise discernment to identify false teachers. It was Paul’s prayer in his epistle to the Philippians that they would grow in “…knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9).
The word dismaying me as Pastor Pauley preaches through Jude, is in the fourth verse: “unnoticed”. This Greek word means: “to settle in alongside.” It implies that impostors, false teachers, will stealthily invade the church and their penetration may even be comfortably accepted by the church. The false teachers’ method is to work their way into the church, and then strategically move up in notoriety, importance, and rank. This tells me no church is completely exempt from such an insidious threat! No matter how strong the body of believers is, this peril is always present and can occur. A church possessing “sound doctrine” can be assailed by the enemy; Jude appropriately and adamantly warns the church of this danger.
Christian’s must keep in mind that “…Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Without biblical defenses in place even the keenest men and women of faith can be deluded! This is one reason believers are sternly warned against haughtiness (1 Corinthians 10:12) and told to humbly turn to the Lord when facing battles. Even Michael the archangel dared not directly handle the devil, but rather declared, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9).
Additionally, Jesus Christ, the greatest teacher ever, frequently warned His followers of false teachers. The teachers of the Pharisees and Sadducees were exposed by Jesus as hypocrites in their religiosity, and realistically were disciples of Satan (John 8:44). Jesus warned His disciples that wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing, would ravage the flock (Matthew 7:15). What our Lord declared was that imitators of Christianity would appear genuine and virtuous, but underneath that facade will be nefarious and full of larceny. Paul echoed Jesus words in Acts 20:29 when he said, “…savage wolves would come in among you, not sparing the flock.”
But God does provide His people with the weapons necessary for this battle. Through careful and diligent study of His Word, memorization and utilization of it, and constant fervent prayer, God will help His children prevail (Ephesians 6:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). It’s a battle that all Christians must be prepared to engage in! False teachers are prolific, persistent, and parasitic enemies of God. This is not a time for weak, timid, Christians who are fearful or indifferent, seeking to avoid conflict. Many Bible-believing churches, whether through apathy, indifference, or pride, adopt an “It can’t happen to us” attitude—and by this attitude capitulate to the lies of false teachers. God forbid this calamity ever happens to Elim Baptist Church!
I do want to remember, however, that the Holy Spirit does not give believers a spirit of fear, but rather of “power” (2 Timothy 1:7), so they can wage this war and emerge victorious! When armed with the Word of God, and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, God’s children will always prevail against the adversary! All for the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Posted on April 1st, 2009 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew