Scripture
12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.
Reflection
In these two verses Jude points out how craftily the apostates had moved into the church. They had made their way into the love feasts—which were the closest celebrations of believers when they met together around a meal, which were probably followed by the Lord’s Supper. Yet these false teachers, though participating outwardly, were inwardly denying the Lord (v. 4b). Furthermore, they were intruding (“secretly slipped in among you,” v. 4a) without the slightest qualm or inhibition. In addition, these unbelievers had taken a shepherding role, but did not function as shepherds. Instead of feeding the flock of God, they selfishly would feed only themselves.
When we read these verses from Jude, it’s easy for the reader to identify the false teachers but like verse 4 mentions these false teachers slipped in among the church secretly. And that is how false teachers today still infiltrate a church or a group of believers. Seldom do false teachers announce that they are preaching heresy, but it is their conduct and actions that give themselves away, similarly to the false teachers in Jude’s day. That is why as a believer we have to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the Truth and not to fall victim to false teachers and their teachings or theology.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
Think of another person in your life who needs God to move in their situation. Ask for God to be at work. Approach the Lord of all with boldness today, knowing that he delights in you, and those you love.
