Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: May 21, 2006
“CREPT IN UNAWARES”
Ben Justice
Jude, to the Christians to whom he wrote, exhorted them to “earnestly contend
for the faith” (Jude 3). As v. 3 reveals, Jude had originally intended to write
about “the common salvation.” In fact, he had given “all diligence” to do this.
However, there was a pressing need that had to be addressed. When Jude
exhorted the Christians to earnestly contend for the faith, he said it was
“needful” for him to tell them this. Of course, Jude was inspired of the Holy
Spirit to write these words. Hence, it was a divine necessity to write unto these
brethren because of the imminent danger. Sometimes, it is often the case that
preachers have to abandon their schedule in order to address a pressing need
within the congregation.
The word “for” begins v. 4. Thus, Jude gave the reason why he exhorted the
brethren to earnestly contend for the faith. He said, “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.” Obviously, Jude was speaking of false teachers in
this verse. Jude exhorted them to earnestly contend for the faith because of the
presence of false teachers. They were “ungodly men.” They “turned the grace of
our God into lasciviousness.” They denied God and Christ. But, here is the part
I want us to focus on. Notice how Jude said they came in. He said they “crept
in unawares.” This is all one word in the Greek. The original word is
pareisduno. Vine defines the word as, “to enter in by the side (para, ‘beside’, eis,
‘in’), to insinuate oneself into, by stealth, to creep in stealthily” (Pg. 138). Guy
N. Woods stated that “they (false teachers — BJ) had entered, as it were, by a
side door and without revealing their true motive of seducing the saints” (Gospel
Advocate Commentary — Jude. Pg. 386). Jude wanted the brethren to
earnestly contend for the faith because of false teachers who had crept in as if
by a side door. There are other scriptures that address this. In Gal. 2:4, Paul
wrote, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to
spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage.” In 2 Tim. 3:6, Paul penned these words to Timothy: “For of this sort are
they which creep in houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away
with divers lusts.” Eph. 4:14 speaks of the “sleight (trickery) of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
Certainly, what happened in the first century with deceitful brethren coming into
congregations can also happen today. In fact, it happens all of the time. How
many congregations have been ripped asunder by one man who “crept in
unawares?” God has the remedy for this. Note the following points:
1.) God has laid upon the shoulders of elders “to exhort and convince (lit.
expose) the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). “Gainsayers” are literally those who
“contradict.” They contradict the sound doctrine of God’s Word. Elders have the
responsibility to stop their mouths (Titus 1:11). Elders have the responsibility to
tend the flock of God, which involves protecting it from false teachers (Acts 20:28-
31). Before elders can do these things effectively, they must be qualified. The
qualifications for all elders are extremely and vitally important. Many elders
would not recognize false teachers if they met them in the middle of the road.
And why not? Because they are not qualified men!
When local congregations don’t have elders, the responsibility lies upon the
men. In fact, we all have the responsibility to be on guard against false
teachers, but the main responsibility is upon the leadership, who should be able
to recognize when unsound teachings spring up.
Many congregations, including this one, utilize a “new member questionnaire” to
help protect the flock. A brief questionnaire is given to all who come from other
congregations desiring to place membership at Sullivan. This is a common sense
approach, for it serves to aid the leadership in overseeing and tending the flock
of God, as God would have them. Too many congregations have had members to
“creep in” from other congregation and take up residence only to sow discord and
division. When I preached in Alabama, I was told by several members of a
certain man in the congregation who had left that congregation to attend another
one down the road. He began to cause some trouble, and he soon learned that
his troubles were not welcomed. So, he decided to return to the previous
congregation. Stories like this can only be multiplied many times over.
Wise and discerning elderships will make sure the brethren are informed of false
teachers and teachings in the church (cf. Rom. 16:17). Many congregations have
elders who are wise enough to put the entire membership on the mailing list to
receive one or two sound brotherhood publications so as to be informed.
Good elders and leaders will carry out their God-given duties in publicly exposing
false teachers. If an elder can’t get up and stand before the church and expose
false teachers, but who instead pass off to the preacher, then they are not
qualified to be an elder. When I preached in Kentucky, the elders there were not
at all afraid to do this very thing, for I recall on one occasion when one of the
elders stood before the congregation and publicly exposed a certain false brother
in town.
Too many false brethren have “crept in unawares” because of unqualified elders.
2.) When Jude penned his short epistle, he exhorted all of the brethren to
earnestly contend for the faith. “Earnestly contend” is all one word in the
Greek. It is a very strong word and in fact this is the only time it is found. It
literally indicates a fight in a contest. One writer stated, “To fight standing upon
a thing which is assaulted, and which the adversary desires to take away” — but
so fighting as to protect it and retain it (Delbert R. Rose, Beacon Bible
Commentary — Jude, Vol. X, Pg. 433). The word has also been defined as to
literally wrestle, but it is used here figuratively and denotes the extreme efforts
which are to characterize the faithful in their defense of the truth, however
formidable and numerous its enemies may be (Guy N. Woods, Ibid.). Just as
those Christians had the responsibility to earnestly contend for the faith, so do
we.
False teachers are sneaky. Hardly, if ever, does a false teacher or a contentious
brother announce his intentions upon entering. No, they creep in unawares
many times, and thus, may we ever be on guard against such. All Satan needs is
a “toe-hole” and he will take the rest of the way. Sadly, many are accommodating
the devil by leaving the door cracked just a bit.