Jude 1:12-13 - The Deliberate Hypocrites

Today, Wednesday November 10 The Deliberate Hypocrites Jude 1:12-13 “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Jude is exposing and describing the apostates, the false teachers who have “crept into” the fellowship of believers of his day (v. 4).  He first noted that it was obvious that they rejected divine authority and how God’s judgment was sure to come on them (Vs. 5-11). Now Jude tells us how they resort to deliberate hypocrisy (Vs. 12-13 & 16). I’m amazed at how the description and the characteristics that Jude gives of these false teachers seems to fit even so many of the politicians and political leaders of our day! You can see these characteristics in people not only in your church, but in your local community, in your work place, in the media, in the entertainment industry and in our nation’s capital. How sad! They are hypocrites! They deceive you by making you think they care about you and your needs when in reality they are greedy, selfish and only want to control and manipulate people to hold on to their position, power and money! They only really live to satisfy themselves. Jude, in verses twelve and thirteen, presents six vivid pictures of these false teachers, these leaders and hypocrites and help to explain why they are dangerous to our churches, and I will add, also to our communities and our nation! First, they are filthy spots (v. 12a). Peter called them spots and blemishes, “….They are spots and blemishes, carousing (reveling) in their own deceptions while they feast with you…” (2 Peter 2:13). These men had invaded the 'love feasts" in the local assemblies, but all they did was defile them. Instead of adding to the sanctity of the occasion, they detracted from it, like Judas at the last Passover that Jesus celebrated with His disciples. The tragedy is that the members of the assembly did not realize the true character of these men! They thought the men were spiritual! The true fellowship of the body of Christ is beautiful as we love and care for one another. But when these people show up they are like a “blemish” on a beautiful piece of art! These hypocrites also are enjoying the fact that they have deceived the people! The Greek word translated "spots" can also mean "hidden rocks." The mariner who is unaware of the hidden rocks can quickly wreck his ship. The pilot must always be alert, for waters that look calm and safe can contain treacherous reefs. Spiritual leaders must constantly be on guard and we should be too! This is why we must always keep our eyes on Jesus Who is the true shepherd and Who will never lead us astray! (Hebrews 2:9; 12:2) God bless!