”Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.” (Jude 1:8, 10)
Jude is writing the church to warn them about false teachers or apostates. Apostates are those who promote beliefs contrary to the true faith while often pretending to accept the true faith. Jude is telling us that these apostates are going to be judged by God.
How can we identify apostates so we can avoid their influence? Here are a few characteristics Jude gives us.
1. They defile the flesh (v. 8a) – they yield to their fleshly desires in sinful ways.
2. They reject authority (v. 8b) – they reject God’s direct and delegated authority in their lives.
3. They speak evil of dignitaries (vv. 8c-9) – they don’t respect the spirit world.
4. They speak evil of what they don’t know (v. 10a) – they don’t know what they’re talking about when they talk about things with spiritual implications because they’re ignorant spiritually (Isa. 5:20).
5. They corrupt themselves in what they do know naturally (v. 10b) – they corrupt themselves by following their carnal instincts like unreasoning wild animals.
Discern contemporary apostates and don’t follow them!