Jude 5-7
As promised, we're going to jump in and look at and consider Jude a few verses at a time. We only have three today (verses 5-7) and they continue to build on verses 3 and 4 where Jude lays out the central warning and message of this book--the problem of false teaching and teachers--and urges believers to stand strong against false teaching. In 5-7 we see examples of God's past judgment on false teachers and those who have fallen victim to that thinking and teaching.
So how do we recognize false teachers and teaching (any red flags)? And what does standing strong against this (contending for the faith) look like? Tami W.
It's so easy to be misled these days as there seems to be so many claims of "truth" out there. The more we know and are anchored upon the Truth of God's Word the easier we'll be able to discern things rightly. Anything new we hear needs to be measured against the precious Word!
My first thing is how often do they use the the Bible to back what what they are teaching. Second is the context of the scripture, does it match up with whole picture of the Bible. Finally thier own testimony. These are very quick referances.
A way to recognize false teachers and their teaching is to see what they do with God's grace and Jesus' Lordship (vs 4).
An attempt to turn God's unmerited favour into a justification for immorality is a good sign that something is really wrong. This requires Christians to be familiar with two things: God's grace, and what is moral. Knowing these areas requires a real relationship with God and life directed by His revealed Word.
If there is a sense that Jesus' Lordship is somehow lessened our alarm bells should go off. Jesus is Sovereign. He is Kimg. He is God. Anything less than this should cause us to pause and investigate. The Christian must have a close relationship with Jesus and a direct awareness of what the Scriptures actually teach about His Lordship to know when error is being stated.
Standing strong against false teachers and teaching is not easy. But this is why contending for the faith first starts with our own belief system and our own relationship with God. We must be regularly engaged in His Word and open to instruction in His grace and in Jesus' Lordship.
But no matter where we are in our trajectory of spiritual growth God wants us to stand firm in His Word. I believe this means that we must all be aware that God does in fact punish when people teach false things and when people live false teaching out in their lives (vs 5-7). Based on these verses in Jude it seems that contending for the faith means to call false teaching what it is and not be ashamed. It may not make us popular but truth is not about a popularity contest.
This sobering reality should cause us all to be humble, seek God in His Word for answers, know that we all stray, and seek truth together.
Our pastor spoke Sunday about the churches that don't speak the Gospel, but rather "tickle the ears" with what people want to hear. And Monday, I heard and read of a church that is taking down the cross and changing their name, removing "Christ" from it. Why? So as not to offend anyone. They say the cross is as offensive to display as the bullet that killed MLK. I think this is a prime example of "churches" rejecting Jesus. So many people miss the beauty of the cross. The beauty and unconditional love of Christ to take my horrible punishment. My heart aches when I read of these kinds of things and how surprised these people will be when the meet Jesus and tells them "I never knew you."
If the teaching is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures then it is something we need to reject. If it denies the authority of Christ it is definitely a false teaching. I continue to live out God's Word in my own life with His help and pray a lot against false teachings in the church.
False teachers always cheapen grace with the idea that we all sin so no one can judge another sin. But the Bible calls his church Holy/ set apart. So who judges then? And who is to judge false teachers? I believe "contending for the faith" is judging and we christians must keep the church Holy. Judging in love not only for one another, but for our Savior who gave his life for us, not that we can continue in sin, but to be freed from it! Yes "we" are to judge- contend for the faith, standing strong in te grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! Not cheapen grace!
as Christians we can know false teachers because the Holy Spirit lives in us and bears witness to what is truth . if you are not walking closely with the Lord it can be harder to discern. anything that is not biblical should be a red flag . of course we have to be reading our bibles (a lot more than we do ) to know even that . we must contend for the faith by not giving in . no matter how much we are ridiculed we must stand for the Truth . i find verse 6 very interesting . most teach the fallen angels are the demons running around but this verse says they're in chains . hmmmm. any input tami ? anyone ?
I think we have to really look at WHAT they are teaching as well as HOW they are teaching. We have to test THEM by the infalable word of God. And we have to be careful ourselves about which Bible we use. Most people don't know this but the only true word of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the KING JAMES Version. Yes, the others are a lot easier to understand, but if you compare the KJV against all others you will find they have verses left out and all kinds of errors. The KJV was transcribed under the strictest laws and guidence.
HOW YOU TELL . DO THEY TEACH THE WORD. BY STANDING STRONG TO WHAT JESUS SAYS. GOD PROMISES NEVER FAIL. ALWAYS CHECK THE PERSON SAYINGS THRU WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY. I HAVE THE HONOR TO TEACH A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS AND I TELL THEM TO ALWAYS CHECK ME OUT. IF I AM WRONG THEN I NEED TO BE CORRECTIVE. I AM NEVER AFRAID TOBE TOLD I AM WRONG NOT BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS RIGHT BUT BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LORD.
Good Morning Everyone!
I pray we are all delighting ourselves in the Lord.
I know a red flag for me is when the teacher is not bringing forth God's true and infallible word. This means for me I must study so that I can stand firm against false teaching and so that I will be able to contend for the faith that Jude is talking about in v.3. How will I know if what he is saying is true or in context? How will I be able to say God's word say this or that if I am not studying (2 Tim.2:15)? We have to be ready to stand. This wont be easy everytime. We can't be concerned about what one will say or think, because we have an audience of one to please....God Himself who is looking to see if we will stand or in the words of one of my sisters "fold like a dish rag". Another red flag for me is when the teacher is not preaching Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor1:23). That is all we are suppose to teach according to scripture. 10 times out of 10 if they are not teaching this, there is a selfish motive. Why would you teach anything else? The gospel is Christ and Him crucified. Not me and my money or anything else.
These are red flags to me,
Britt
We need to remember that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. If anyone else claims to be the Son of God, they are not true followers of Christ. He not only died on the cross, but He is alive today. Our faith is based on the empty tomb. Only Jesus can claim that.
HI TAMI
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As everybody has said, if it is not God's Word then it false. fake. That is why we too have to make sure we read His Word so we can identify what is false. Some of these so-called prophets like to glorify themselves and do not teach that Jesus is God. Thanks to back to the Bible for Powered by 4, Meet with God and all the Bible studies and devotions that we can rely on each day to help us as we grow in faith and knowledge of God's Inspired Word.
Ditto the comments from others that it must be grounded in the WORD because if it's not, that be wary. I also believe the Holy Spirit will tells us loud and clear that this person is a deceiver. I'm so glad we have so many resources in our 'Jesus Toolkit' so that we are always prepared to escape the enemy. Thank You Lord for this signs and thank You for Your Word. I'm learning that my DAILY application in Your Word is manna for my soul and I thank You for constantly pouring into me and others Your favor.
I think staying close to the word and reading the Bible daily would be helpful, I know the more I'm in the word the closer I feel to God. I wanted Tami or someone to comment on Leo f's comment about the fallen angels. I would like to hear more on that...and Barbara L.'s comment on the KJV, my mother who is 74 yrs old, says the same thing, that's the only one she reads. I think I'll pull my KJV out and read from both NIV and KJV - I always enjoy readying everyone's comments. I learn from you all.
I truly believe the greatest weapon of those who are guilty of false teaching is "block theology." They take a block of scripture and build a whole teaching doctrine around it. For instance, I have had men quote me Ephesians 5:22-24 and want me to support the idea that their wives should be submissive to them and obey their every word.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
At that time I direct them to other part of that passage of scripture and remind them that they are to care for their wives the same as Christ cares for the Church, Ephesians 5:25-29.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
I remind them that Chist died for the Church and so they must be ready to die for their wives.
I know this is not as extreme a measure as some of the other false teachings in the Church today but it is the example I use the most.