Rebuking Lies

 

THE LETTER OF JUDE

REBUKING LIES

Jude 8-10

8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"   10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them.

NIV

This is some very harsh language regarding these dangerous men who have slipped into the church as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jude calls them dreamers, as though they do not live in the reality of the truth, but rather live in the fantasy of their creation. Living in this manner, taking liberty out of the grace of God to do that which they should not as Jude already said that they change the grace of God into a license for immorality. They have rejected authority, and we have to believe this is the authority of Jesus, as they despise the idea of angels, which would seem they do not believe Jesus is in heaven and in fact there is no heaven or hell, but simply this life, and to live it with gusto. Still, Jude makes the point that these men slander the truth, speak against the truth, calling the truth a lie, and their lies, the truth. We have to be careful of these types of men that are still at large and hiding in the community of faith, spreading their false doctrines as though they have the truth. We have seen them come and go throughout our time in the body of Christ. It has become easier for them to spread their agendas, their lies, as today they have the use of many forms of media, but mostly through the medium of television, but they also are using the internet. In this day and age, it may be even more important to seek the guidance of the Spirit’s gift of discernment. We should be asking for discernment. Jesus has told us to ask for anything, but at the same time, ask in accordance with the will of God, and he will give it to us. So asking for the Spirit’s gift of discernment is certainly in the will of God and that would aid us in revealing these false teachings that are spreading like wildfire throughout the community of faith. However, we also need not speak evil about them, but simply rebuke them in the name of the Lord. Although it is most difficult to rebuke someone we never met in person, but only witness their lies in those forms of media. We can, however, when their names come up in conversation among believers, simply say that we rebuke them in the name of the Lord, and let the chips fall where they may. We do not have to go into detail of their lies but just rebuke them. In the reality of heaven, their own words will destroy them, we do not have to try to destroy them but just rebuke them. We can do that and still do it in with love, rather than out of hatred for them. They are who they are, and by simply rebuking them, if but just in our own minds and spirits, stay clear of them and live under the authority of Jesus.