Yet again we come upon a warning about the devil’s attempts to infiltrate the church. This time it is from the pen of Jesus’ earthly brother, Jude. The infiltrators that Jude is concerned with should have seemed very obviously false. They were clearly driven by a hunger for power, and they conveniently gave people excuses to give free reign to their lust. People were listening to them because people will always listen to teachers who tell them what they want to hear. Let’s just reflect on this idea for moment. You may not be following false teachers like those that Jude describes, but do you still stick with sources of inspiration that agree with the limits of your obedience? If that is a little cryptic, let me put it this way: Are you willing to listen to teaching that may not be what you want to hear; that challenges you in areas you don’t want to be challenged in? I feel like I am a fairly discerning person and unlikely to fall for overtly false teaching like Jude describes here, but I can’t say I am innocent of favouring sources that help keep my comfort zone intact. I used to dislike listening to teachers who spoke of experiences that I did not have. And often I excused my defensiveness as discernment. You can’t grow without changing; without your experiences deepening and your horizons broadening. So be discerning, but also be open to challenges. Be careful lest, in defending yourself against false teachers, you end up defending yourself against God.
Ask God to expand your experience and grow you.
Read Jude verses 1-16
