If It Walks Like A Duck . . .

For there are certain men crept in unawares , who were before of old ordained to

this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,

 and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:4

In this day and age, if you are standing on the word of God, the enemy will try everything in his arsenal to trick you up. But God, in his infinite wisdom, has alerted us of that which we should be savvy. Namely, we have to know those that labor among us. When we see ungodly people and actions creep into the body of Christ, we have to act to dispel the enemy quickly.

In a a conversation King Solomon had with God when he was anointed king,  he asked for understanding that he may be able to discern between good and bad:

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  1 King 3:9

Those that love and fear (reverence) our Heavenly Father, who are filled with His Holy Spirit, we are given a certain measure of discernment:

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.    Malachi 3:18

There is a seriousness to representing God and misrepresenting God:

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,  And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.  And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death ; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.  Deuteronomy 13:1-5

The power of the Holy Spirit gives us a measure of discernment which, as we build up our most holy faith in God, we are to be able to discern between the righteous and the unrighteous or the unrighteous intentions behind the seemingly good actions.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Hebrews 5:14

As believers in Christ, we should always be on the look out and on guard for those that desire to pervert the word of God, for those that use the word of God for their own selfish needs, of apostles, pastors, prophets, evangelists and teachers who speak only of prosperity or healing with little or no emphasis on the good news of our Lord and Savior and the plan of salvation, and for those that excuse, justify or condone actions that are contrary to the word of God.

Jude tells us expressly what to look for:  

*  Their walk:

            A.     Crept in unawares (verse 4).

            B.     Walking after their own lusts (verse 6).

            C.     Walking after their own ungodly lusts (verse 18).

*    Their talk:

            A.     Speak evil of dignities (verses 8-10).

            B.     Speak evil of things they know not (verses 8-10).

            C.     Murmurers (verse 16).

            D.     Complainers (verse 16).

            E.     Mouths speak great swelling words (verse 16).

            F.     Mockers (verse 18).

*    Their doctrine:

            A.     Turn the grace of God into lasciviousness (verse 4).

            B.     Deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 4).

            C.     Have not the Spirit (verse 19).

*      Their conduct:

            A.     Ungodly (verse 4).

            B.     Filthy dreamers (verse 8).

            C.     Defile the flesh (verse 8).

            D.     Despise dominion (verses 8-10).

            E.     Corrupt what they naturally know (verses 8-10).

            F.     Admire people because of the benefit they receive (verse 16).

            G.     Separate themselves (verse 19).

            H.     Live sensually (verse 19).

Thankfully, God always makes provision and also lets us know what to do.   He lets us know through His word how we are to keep ourselves protected when we see or experience the enemy in these forms:

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Hold fast to God and be fully persuaded in your faith and your relationship with God.  Jude 1: 20-23

Always remember, 

If it's not found, it is not sound!  

If you can't find what is being expressed or taught in scripture; it is not of God.  God's word should back everything we say; should be the basis for not only what we say but also for what we do.

(Biblical Studies)

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04/16/22