Monday Devo
Scripture:
Jude 1
8 In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.
8 In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.
Commentary:
8–10 The False Teachers Are Blasphemers. These people also refers to the false teachers (see chart). They are led astray by relying on their dreams, thus mistakenly following subjective experiences that they claim are from God but that lead them to disobey God’s written Word (cf. “following … ungodly passions,” v. 18). Following their “dreams,” they are sexually immoral (defile the flesh), reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones (probably evil angels; see note on 2 Pet. 2:10b–11). Even the archangel Michael did not speak to the devil flippantly, or blaspheme him, when he disputed with him over the body of Moses. This event is not in the OT (but cf. Deut. 34:5–6; Zech. 3:1–5), and whatever story Jude is referring to has been lost to history. In any case, Michael, understanding his own place in God’s design, did not pronounce a sentence of condemnation on the devil but left that to God’s authority, simply telling the devil, “The Lord rebuke you.” This demonstrates the exclusive power and authority of Jesus Christ, something the false teachers deny (see Jude 4). The point of vv. 8–10 is the false teachers’ refusal to submit to rightful authority, and it should not be understood as denying that Christ gives believers authority over demons (see note on Acts 16:18). Jude’s use of a story from nonbiblical literature (perhaps a lost section of a work called Testament of Moses) does not indicate that Jude thought the book was inspired. Elsewhere in the NT, writers quote uninspired sources to make a point (see notes on Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12–13). Michael is the only archangel identified by name in Scripture (cf. 1 Thess. 4:16).
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2450.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2450.
Questions:
- This week, Jude talks about dreams. Specifically, he is warning the church about dreams from false teachers that might lead people astray. As we've discussed in previous messages, God speaks in a variety of ways. One of those ways is through dreams. However, when God speaks through a dream, He will never contradict something He's said in His Word. God wasn't wrong the first time. So, Jude would say that we need to reject new dreams that belittle old REVELATIONS. "If it's NEW it's not TRUE!" Do you think you'd be able to recognize "new" truth if you heard it? When was the last time you prayed for discernment?
- Two extreme examples of this kind of rogue vision that contradicts truth are Mohammed and Joseph Smith. But many preachers, teachers and authors today also claim new revelation from the Holy Spirit that is contrary to Scripture, which ends up leading thousands, even millions of people astray. How careful are you to test everything you hear or read against God's Word? What are the dangers if we just believe everything we hear?
Prayer Topics:
- That God would give you discernment.
- That you would be faithful to test everything and hold on to what is good.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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