Three Strategies To Deal With False Teachers

3 Strategies To Deal With False Teachers
Jude 1:17-23

The first half of the chapter told us how to recognise the false teachers/believers. Now we have come to the second half which gives instructions on how we deal with them.

3 imperatives:
1. Remember the predictions of the apostles (v.17-19)

Jude is reminding believers that normal pattern of the Christian life includes encounter with false believers.

This is also no surprise to God.

Jude 1:4 “For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago…”

2. Keep yourself in the love of God (v. 20-21)
***Difference between a participle and a command
a. “Keep yourself up…” is a command
b. Building yourself up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, waiting of the mercy…” – participle describing what you should be doing as you keep yourself in the love of God

– “Keep yourself up in the love of God” – does this refer to the saving love? No. We have been saved and if we are genuinely saved, nothing can take that away from us.

Romans 8:38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…”

Rather it is about joy – the joy of experiencing God’s love.

– “Building yourself up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, waiting of the mercy…” – read your Bible, pray, anticipate and reflect on God’s second coming (and be transformed by it).

3. Have mercy (v.22-23)
a. On those who doubt – affected and swayed by the false believers
b. On those who are in danger – who have stumbled all the more, who walked into it
c. On those who might put you in danger (the false believers themselves) – show mercy in fear

False teachers will always be around. Jude gave us instructions on how to deal with them and most of it is about building OURSELVES up.

The solution to our problem is the free offer of the Gospel, always recognising God’s goodness.