Jude is a short book, but it hits hard. Right near the start, Jude says he was going to write about salvation, but the Holy Ghost told him to warn the church instead. Some dangerous men had crept in, and God’s people needed to fight for the truth. That warning still applies today.
“For there are certain men crept in unawares…” — Jude 1:4
These men don’t charge through the front door. They slip in through the side, act like they belong, and slowly tear things apart. Here’s how Jude says we can spot them.
1. They Sneak In Quietly
“For there are certain men crept in unawares…” — Jude 1:4
These men don’t make a big scene at first. They find a way in, smile, shake hands, and blend in. Paul warned this would happen:
“Grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” — Acts 20:29
They’re not loud at first, but they’re deadly once they settle in.
2. They Abuse God’s Grace
“Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness…” — Jude 1:4
They use grace as an excuse to sin. Instead of being thankful for God’s mercy, they trample it. This isn’t new.
“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” — Romans 6:1-2
Grace doesn’t give us a free pass to live however we want. These men twist it.
3. They Deny Jesus Christ
“…and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Jude 1:4
They may say they believe, but their life says otherwise. They don’t live under His leadership.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him…” — Titus 1:16
Real faith submits to Christ. These creeps refuse to.
4. They Rebel Like the Fallen Angels
“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation…” — Jude 1:6
They want to break away from the order God set up. These aren’t harmless rebels. They’re walking the same path as the devil.
5. They Live Filthy Lives
“Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh…” — Jude 1:8
They follow their lusts and dreams instead of Scripture. They say God gave them a “vision,” but that vision leads to sin.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust…” — James 1:14
God doesn’t lead people into filth. Their flesh does.
6. They Despise Authority
“…despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.” — Jude 1:8
They won’t be corrected. They don’t respect pastors or spiritual leaders. They act like they answer to no one.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves…” — Hebrews 13:17
A man who hates authority isn’t being led by God.
7. They Run Their Mouths Without Knowledge
“But these speak evil of those things which they know not…” — Jude 1:10
They criticize truth they don’t understand. They act like they know better, but they’re blind.
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” — 2 Timothy 3:7
8. They Follow Cain, Balaam, and Korah
“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam… and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” — Jude 1:11
• Cain: Brought worship his way, not God’s way.
• Balaam: Sold truth for money.
• Korah: Rejected God’s chosen leaders.
These men aren’t new. They’ve been creeping in since the beginning.
9. They Are a Hidden Danger
“These are spots in your feasts of charity… clouds they are without water… trees whose fruit withereth…” — Jude 1:12
They sit at your church meals. They shake hands. But they have nothing to give. No fruit. No spiritual help. Just empty words and fake smiles.
10. They Leave a Mess Behind
“Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame…” — Jude 1:13
They leave behind sin, confusion, broken homes, hurt people, and ruined testimonies.
11. They Cause Division
“These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” — Jude 1:19
They stir up drama. They pick sides. They follow their feelings instead of the Bible. And most of all, they don’t have the Holy Ghost.
“Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine… and avoid them.”
— Romans 16:17
12. They Complain and Chase Lusts
“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts…” — Jude 1:16
They’re never content. They always have something negative to say. And they’re led by desire, not the Word of God.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
— 2 Timothy 3:5
Jude doesn’t tell us to go on a witch hunt, but he does tell us to earnestly contend for the faith. These creeps aren’t always easy to spot at first, but once they show these signs, the church must deal with it. God’s Word still works. Let’s stay in it, pray in the Spirit, and keep ourselves in the love of God.
“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.” — Jude 1:17–18
