The evil keeps trying to hang on. And we need to fight it. It’s our responsibility.”
–Henry McLaughlin (Journey to Riverbend)
“Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God!”
–Psalm 119:115 (NKJV)
————————————
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” –1 John 5:19 (NKJV)
The evil that we saw this week shows us that there are evil forces at work in the world. Not only was an evil deed done, but the critics began immediately after not even allowing for death to settle. They began to spout more foolishness. Jude says that “these men speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.” (Jude 10, NKJV)
The only thing that will help overcome this type of evil is Jesus Christ, and man does not want to hear that. He wants to give “man’s solution” to the issue which will only foul it up more. These foolish people criticize everything they do not understand. Jude says they are worthless and irrelevant and not spiritually discerned. They speak with evil following their own inclinations. Matthew Henry says they have “depraved wills, and disordered appetites and affections.
With the apostasy, the turning away from Christ and His moral principles, they only have fleshly instincts, animal passions. They allow their emotions and passions to carry them without thinking from a spiritual view. In fact, they have become deaf to God and thus corrupt themselves. We walk through this journey of life with these type of individuals all around us, many with a voice and many in government positions. They do not understand the ways of the Lord; they do not want to understand the ways of the Lord.
Jude uses three illustrations from history to warn us about these individuals so that we will know them. The first is that of Cain. Cain–the first murderer. The blood of his brother Abel cries out from the earth and is still crying. Listen to God, obey God… Cain represents those who murder, not physically, but they want to delude others and thuse are murderers of the soul. “Do it my way,” they cry. “Listen to me,” they holler. They seek to kill the souls of men by their error.
The second type is that of Balaam. Balaam was some sort of “seer,” some sort of prophet and was sought after to curse the people of Israel. He said he would do it for a reward, but he could not prophesy against the people of God. Instead he told the enemy how they could defeat Israel, take away God’s blessing. Intermarry, he told them. Make them compromise. If they accept and allow others to be with them eventually they will fall into sin. They would no longer be a separate people. Don’t be intolerant, be accepting–compromise.
Korah was used as the third example. Korah refused to accept right authority and began to seek things he had no right to have. He brought a challenge to legitimate authority and was arrogant in his manner. “In my opinion,” was his cry. I have a right to decide on my own–who is Moses, really he was saying, who is God to tell me what to do. Woe to those who dare to mock and challenge God. Woe to the followers of Korah.
Jude continues in his letter to warn us about such men. Men who use the church to gratify their own desires and lusts. Men who twist the words of God to fit their own ideas and agenda. Jude warns us to avoid them. They make great claims but without proper authority, without truth to back what they say and therefore are essentially useless. Avoid them–know them by their fruit. These people are reserved for darkness. They seek to trip you up on your journey taking you away “from enjoying the very best which God has prepared for us.” (Paul Cedar)
Oh, friend, do not be swayed by the words of men but hold firmly to the truth of God’s Word. Follow His precepts and principles as you live daily in this evil world.