“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 17-19)

Jude concludes his brief epistle with a few exhortations to believers. He begins by telling them to avoid the men he has just described.

Jude has a very different view of the believers to whom he is writing. He calls them beloved. He reminds them that all of the Apostles, both verbally and in writing, told them that there would be enemies of God that would try to infiltrate the church and persecute God’s people. Peter even exhorts us all to be ready because their evil attacks are certain to come.

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” (1 st Peter 3:14-16)

These men (and women) seek only two fulfill their own desires and lusts of the flesh whether it be sexual, material, or monetary. They deny the authority of God’s true church and seek to promote themselves and their teachings apart from God’s designed pattern of worship and accountability in a local church. And although they may look like they have the Spirit, we should look beyond their vain worship and examine their personal lives. Jesus taught us how to recognize false prophets. We may not be able to recognize them by their doctrine or show of worship but their personal lives will tell us their true motivation.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-18)