Thursday 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:
- New dreams are useful when submitted to JESUS, His WORDS and His PEOPLE. Otherwise, that dream is a demonic counterfeit! You had a dream? Cool! I have a Bible! Let's see if the dream is in line with Scripture. Let's see if it's in line with other faithful Christians and what they believe to be true. Is this how you interact with other peoples' dreams or revelations? What is your level of discernment?
- In Acts 15, we see that the apostles and elders in the early church made decisions that "seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us." Is this how you make decisions in your life, big and small? Are you submitting them to God in prayer and to godly people in your life?
Prayer Topics:
- That God would give you supernatural discernment.
- That you would make decisions the way Scripture teaches.
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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