Demolition Men

“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit” (v19).

You don’t mess around with the demolition man. Well, that’s at least Sting’s advice. He sings of a dude who’s all about destruction. “I’m a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom. I kill conversation as I walk into the room. I’m a three-line whip, I’m the sort of thing they ban. I’m a walking disaster, I’m a demolition man.” The former lead singer of the Police could well be singing about the false teachers in Jude. Jesus’ kid brother screams for everyone to hear about a crew of con artists that are tearing churches apart from the inside out (Jude 4, 8-13, 16, 18). He lets us know that they ultimately try to tear God’s people apart by causing division. They don’t give a rip about anybody but themselves. They’re spiritually bankrupt. They’re demolition men.

Jude begins by referring to a very specific group of people. He’s not just writing in general terms. He’s got his laser-guided weapon locked on a posse of false teachers. “It is these” (v19). The author has been very intentional in calling them out from the crowd. Remember, they’ve worked hard to weasel their way into local churches. Time after time, Jude wants us to know EXACTLY who they are and what they do. “These people…relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones” (Jude 8). “These people blaspheme all that they do not understand” (Jude 10). “These are hidden reefs…waterless clouds…fruitless trees…wild waves of the sea…wandering stars” (Jude 12-13). Jude writes that Enoch, the hall of famer in Genesis, predicted God would judge “these” folks (Jude 14-15). “These” are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (Jude 16). Are we clear who “these” people are? Good.

These spiritual hucksters are all about tearing people apart. They “cause divisions” (v19). This is the Greek verb apodiorizo, which means to separate, divide, mark a boundary, set up distinctions, and instigate division between people. The false teachers draw lines that aren’t really there. They pull people apart when Jesus brings them together (Gal 3:26-29; Eph 2:12-22, 4:3-7; Col 3:11). They build walls when Christ is all about knocking them down. They are all about division when Jesus is all about multiplication (Jude 2). They are all about destroying the church that our Savior has promised to build (Mt 16:18). They are demolition men. Let me step back for just a moment. Am I driving a wedge between people? Are my words and my actions paving the way for folks to know Jesus? Am I allowing God to use me as a uniter and not a divider (Phil 2:2)? Am I a demolition man?

Jude goes on to slap the false teachers with the label of “worldly people” (v19). He drops the Greek word psuchikos. This describes a creature driven by appetites and lust apart from God’s Spirit, a being concerned only about the material life. The New King Jimmy translates this as “sensual persons” (v19 NKJV). It’s a term the writers of the New Testament use to talk about folks who don’t see things from God’s perspective. “The natural person (Gr. psuchikos) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1Cor 2:14). Jude’s other brother James warned about phony wisdom that is “earthly, unspiritual (Gr. psuchikos), demonic” (James 3:15). These spiritual snake oil salesmen only care about themselves. They leave a trail of destruction in their wake. That’s why they’re called the demolition men.

Just to make sure we’re clear on just how sensual and unspiritual the false teachers are, we see that they’re “devoid of the Spirit” (v19). Throughout Scripture, we read that every last one of God’s people receive His Spirit. The Holy Spirit began showing up in a big way in that upstairs bonus room at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). When Jesus saves us, He drenches us in His Spirit. He’s not an option or accessory that’s added later. You have the unlimited power of God living inside you as a believer (1Cor 3:16-17; 6:19). Tony Stark’s arc reactor ain’t got nothing on you. The false teachers are just the opposite of the recipients of Jude’s letter. When it comes to God’s Spirit, these con artists have a big, fat zero. Meanwhile, the followers of Jesus are “praying in the Spirit” (Jude 20). The Apostle Paul wanted his friends in Rome to know the difference too. “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Rom 8:9). We’ve got Spirit, yes, we do! We’ve got Spirit, how ‘bout you? When it comes to God’s Spirit, the false teachers have a big, fat zero. Without the Holy Spirit, the false teachers are spiritually bankrupt. 

These infiltrators are out to sabotage the local church. They try to tear God’s people apart by causing division. They don’t give a rip about anybody but themselves. They’re spiritually bankrupt. They’re demolition men.

Spiritual Hokey Pokey

“For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them” (v21).

Moles are the worst. No, not the critters digging around in your flower bed. Yeah, those can be annoying. But I’m talking about secret agents working from the inside to take down their enemies. Infiltrators. Traitors. The threat from the inside is much worse than the outside. They know your secrets. They know your schedules. They know your priorities. They’re in a position to do great damage to governments or corporations. 

The Apostle Peter warns his readers about the threat of moles infiltrating local churches.  A team of false teachers has weaseled they way into the hearts and lives of people following Jesus. And in many ways, it was easy to do. They’ve been here the whole time. They’ve grown up in our churches. They’ve gone to Sunday school. They’ve attended prayer meetings. They’re in our worship services. Shoot, they may even serve as an elder. But there’s one HUGE difference between fellow believers and these moles. They’ve heard the Good News but they’re not following Jesus. To paraphrase the old saying, “You can lead a lost person to the Living Water but you can’t make him drink.” 

The result is not good. Not good at all. Pete tells us that “it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness” (v21) to begin with. But it was right there for them. They were offered the opportunity to take the on ramp onto the Narrow Way. But they made the decision to stay on the broad road. When you’re not on the Right Road, you’re going the wrong way. You can be very close without being on the way of righteousness. It’s like using the access road that follows alongside the interstate. You might be headed in a very similar direction but you’re certainly not on the same stretch of asphalt. It will NOT get you where you want to go.

The false teachers knew where they should go but actually did a u-turn on the Gospel. They “turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them” (v21). The apostle describes this 180 from Jesus with the verb hupostrepho. It means to return, turn away from, go back, abandon, or turn round about. If repentance is turning from our sin and turning to our Savior, then this is the anti-repentance. These moles have spun from their sin, taken a long look at Jesus and spun right back around. Think of it as some kind of spiritual Hokey Pokey. They’ve put their whole self in. They’ve put their whole self out. They’ve put their whole self in and they’ve turned themselves around. In the end, they reject Jesus and His gracious offer of salvation. The false teachers have turned back to where they came from because they had never really left. Matthew Henry writes, “A state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance.” And, sadly, that’s NOT what it’s all about.

These con artists are tearing apart the church from the inside (2:1-3). Despite what many believe, the biggest threat to the church aren’t attacks from the outside. The greatest menace comes from inside. That’s exactly what made these false teachers an enormous hazard. Their training in the Bible and theology made them even more dangerous. They’re able to twist Scriptural truth to their advantage. Wasn’t that exactly what the satanic snake did when it whispered into Eve’s ear (Gen 3:1-5)? And worst of all, they set their sites on the weak and vulnerable. “They entice unsteady souls” (2:14). They’re not going after folks following closely after Christ. They look for low hanging fruit.

So what’s the personal application? First of all, it’s a reminder to each and every one of us that we can be all around Jesus and never really know Him. We can hear the Good News but never make it part of our lives. We can pull right up to the turn onto the Right Road and never get on. So very close and so very far away all at the same time. Have we heard just enough about Jesus that we are immune to Him? Second, we need to realize that just because someone goes to our church, that doesn’t guarantee that they’re a member of God’s family. Keeping the message of the Gospel fresh within the walls of the church is vital. We all need Jesus. You. Me. Them. Let’s encourage EVERYONE to grow in their relationship to Christ. Believers will move closer. Unbelievers may meet Him for the first time. Third, let’s keep our radar up for false teachers. Watch out for moles who seem to talking about Jesus but only use churchy talk as a way to tear us apart.

The false teachers have put their whole selves in. They put their whole selves out. The put their whole selves in and turned themselves around. They’ve ant-repented. Sadly, that’s NOT what it’s all about.

Spiritual Espionage

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (v1).

Inception. Mission Impossible. The Departed. The Manchurian Candidate. Each of these movies tell the story of devious infiltrations by double agents. Moles secretly sneak in only to ultimately cause harm, damage and death. This idea is nothing new. Peter lets us know that it’s been going on a long time. A VERY long time. He exposes their big lie. And he lets us know what will eventually happen to the bad guys. The apostle warns us to keep an eye out for infiltrators.

First, Pete gives us a little history lesson. He wants us to know that this isn’t some new problem. It’s been going on as long as anyone can remember. “False prophets also arose among the people” (v1). Just how long has this infiltration been going on? Flip back the opening pages of Genesis. That satanic snake snuck into the garden to whisper lies into Eve’s ears (Gen 3:4). It started in Eden and has been going on ever since.

Pete uses the word pseudoprophetes. Pseudo-prophets. The Greek prefix describes a liar and a deceiver. One who acts the part of a divine spokesperson and utters lies. This isn’t just a dude who simply pretends to be a prophet. He’s not just a wannabe. He’s a liar. He’s a cheater. He’s a bamboozler. 

Jesus had plenty to say about liar-prophets. “Beware of false prophets (Gr. pseudoprophetes), who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Mt 7:15). Don’t get eaten alive by con artists! Our Savior told His posse that one way to know that the world is headed for destruction is the number of these spiritual hucksters will grow exponentially (Mt 24:11, 24). Later, Pete’s old fishing buddy John sounded the alarm about lying prophets. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets (Gr. pseudoprophetes) have gone into the world” (1Jn 4:1).

Just because our Savior died on a cross and rose from the grave, that doesn’t mean that the big swindle is no more. Our enemy has moved from infiltrating the Jewish people to local churches. “There will be false teachers among you” (v1). Pseudodidaskalos. Pseudo-teachers. First it was lying prophets. Now it’s lying teachers. These aren’t folks pretending to be teachers. They haven’t falsified their teaching certificates. Oh now, they’re teachers alright. They are teachers of LIES!! The apostle warns us to expect their arrival. They’re coming. As a matter of fact, they may well be here already. 

How will we recognize these moles? What will give them away? Glad you asked. They “will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (v1). These liar teachers will smuggle in a message that causes corrosive factions and deadly divisions within the church. It’s similar to what a Trojan Horse virus does to a computer. A malicious program infiltrates your hard drive only to destroy it from the inside. That’s exactly what these liar teachers are up to. Divide and conquer. Split God’s people into factions. If they can get us fighting against each other, their work is done. When we spend all our energy in combat against other Christ followers, the Gospel fails to move forward. It discredits our message. That’s the very reason Jesus told us to love each other. Our sacrificial love for each other will let the world know that we’re His followers (Jn 13:34-35). Pete’s pal Paul dealt with fractured factions in Corinth (1Cor 1:10-13). Is someone around you teaching stuff that’s driving folks apart? They’re probably one of these liar teachers the apostle is warning us about. 

These false teachers will go so far as “even denying the Master who bought them” (v1). Pete pulls the curtain back on the depth of their treason. In the end, these liars are rejecting Jesus as the ultimate authority of the universe. The rotten core of their destructive message is that Christ isn’t in charge. He’s not Lord. He’s not God. They may spit out other lies about Jesus, but these false teachers refuse to let Christ tell them what to do. And they try to convince you and me to follow along. They give Jesus the Heisman. The shove our sovereign Savior away with a spiritual stiff arm. They believe that what God has for us isn’t as good as what we want for us. These liar teachers refuse to admit the truth of who Jesus really is. Don’t forget that the radical Rabbi/Carpenter announced that He is the very personification of the Truth (Jn 14:6). Who are you going to believe? These liar teachers or Jesus. It’s your choice. Let me know how that works out for you.MacArthur: The Greek word for “destructive” basically means damnation. this word is used six times in this letter and always speaks of final damnation (v1-3; 3:7, 16).

The apostle says that these infiltrators reject Jesus but will be destroyed so fast it will make your head spin. They are “bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (v1). It’s important to notice who’s doing what to whom here. This isn’t a big ol’ mean God bringing the pain on innocent people. These liar teachers are destroying themselves. They may do some short-term damage among God’s people, but in the end they’re signing their own death sentence. And when it happens, it’s gonna be quick. Blink of an eye. Boom. Game over.

Let’s be on the look out for liar teachers. They’re out there. And they’re trying to get in here. These agents of our enemy are looking to infiltrate. They’re trying to double-cross. They’re hoping to divide. Let’s not fall for the big lie.