Discerning the Enemy’s Schemes

Isaiah 4,5; Psalms 115,116; Jude 

“For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord…These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.”

Jude 4, 16

It’s difficult to imagine that the enemy of God sends people under his influence into the church to destroy, divide, and discourage God’s people. Jesus said by their fruit you will know people. When the grace of God becomes a license to sin, when leaders are attacked, and when pride and flattery are used to manipulate others, all of these indicate rotten fruit. The letter of Jude was written as a warning that was to be circulated among the churches. We are to discern the fruit in the lives of others and also in our own life. Godly leaders live with humility, submission to authority, and dependence on Jesus through the Holy Spirit. We still require discernment and discipline in the church today. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, but principalities and powers, and the battle is real.

“Lord Jesus, deliver us from evil and give us discernment to lead your people well, for your glory.”