3 Keys to Uncompromising Faith

Read Jude 1:17-23.

There are scoffers and deceivers who try to lure believers to ungodliness. Toward the end of his letter, Jude outlines how believers can stand strong against such an assault.

First, Jude says that we must be on guard against those who twist God’s Word. We must know the Bible well so that when a false teacher distorts the Scriptures, we will instantly spot their error. These people “do not have the Spirit” (Jude 1:19), so we should not be surprised when their teaching contradicts the Spirit-inspired Scripture.

Second, we must insulate ourselves against false teaching. Jude calls us to build ourselves up in the faith and pray in the Spirit (v. 20), which means we pray as the Spirit leads. When the Holy Spirit brings a person to your mind and you feel the need to pray for them, don’t resist it. Whenever He prompts you, be obedient and pray.

Jude explains that when we build ourselves up in the faith and pray in the Spirit, we keep ourselves in God’s love (see v. 21). It’s like the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-32). You see, even when his son forsook him, the father’s love was unchanging. But the son didn’t experience that love while he was away. It was only when he came home that he was in his father’s love. In the same way, you and I must stay close to our heavenly Father to keep ourselves in His love so that we do not become easy targets for deceivers.

Finally, Jude reminds us that we must be involved. We must care about those who don’t believe, being “merciful to those who doubt” (v. 22). But we must exercise wisdom, both offering kindness toward nonbelievers and standing firm against deceivers. Only a daily commitment to prayer and Scripture will prepare us to speak the Truth in love—to be uncompromising on the one hand and yet feel anguish for sinners, to stand firm on the Truth of God’s Word and yet yearn for the lost to come to Christ.

We must expel false teaching from our midst but extend grace to unbelievers, that they might receive eternal life through Christ Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

Prayer: Lord, may I proclaim the hope of Christ to the lost and call false teachers to repentance, pushing back against their deception for the strengthening of the Church. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.