JUDE 16
THE ANATOMY OF
FALSE TEACHERS
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1Analyze how Jude 16 embodies ungodliness.
2Evaluate descriptors to distinguish moral failure from rebellion.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
3Synthesize doctrine, desire, speech, and manipulation.
4Defend why motive is evidentiary in God’s judgment.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts…”
— JUDE 1:16
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
THE BIG IDEA
HOW THEY ACT RIGHT NOW
PROVES THEIR JUDGMENT.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
FLOW OF THE PASSAGE
/Bridging historical prophecy to present behavior.
/The prophecy announces doom; their conduct proves identity.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
SENTENCED BY ACTIONS
/“These are” points the verdict at the troublemakers.
/Destroys the assumption of unconditional security.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
OLD TESTAMENT ROOTS
Covenant Treason
/Grumbling is an accusation of covenant treason.
/It is the vocabulary of unbelief.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me?”
— NUMBERS 14:27
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
THE WILDERNESS REBELLION
/They attacked God’s authority, not just the menu.
/Chronic complaint is a severe spiritual threat.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps.”
— PROVERBS 29:5
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
WEAPONIZED PRAISE
/Flattery is the language of predators.
/They target the wealthy to secure their position.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
APOSTOLIC PATTERN
/False teaching is driven by moral compromise.
/It promises liberty while serving corruption.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“For speaking out arrogant words… they entice by fleshly desires…”
— 2 PETER 2:18
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“For such men are slaves… of their own appetites; and by smooth speech they deceive…”
— ROMANS 16:17-18
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“…depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose godliness is a means of gain.”
— 1 TIMOTHY 6:3-5
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
“…if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law…”
— JAMES 2:1, 9
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
SPEECH IS EVIDENCE
The Anatomy of a Complainer
/What they say proves who they are.
/They put God on trial for the life He assigned them.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
THE DARK SECRET
APPETITE ALWAYS
PRECEDES ARGUMENT.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
FLATTERY IS A WEAPON
/Praise is a tool for control and profit.
/They weaponize flattery to monetize the brethren.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
RECOGNIZING THE THREAT
GRUMBLERS
Dissatisfaction with God’s ordering of life.
FAULTFINDERS
Constant blame regarding their allotted portion.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
THE ENGINE BENEATH
Following their own lusts
/A settled course of life and direction.
/When desire rules, doctrine becomes a servant.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
SWOLLEN SPEECH
Speaking Arrogantly
/Language swollen beyond proper measure.
/Pretension that assumes status it doesn’t possess.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
MANIPULATION EXPOSED
Flattering People
/Treating persons as means rather than neighbors.
/The goal is leverage: status, influence, or profit.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
THE PIVOT
Verse 17
/“But you, beloved…” shifts the gaze to the faithful.
/The courtroom exhibition is over; the battle plan begins.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
DOCTRINAL WARNING 1
/Do not redefine complaint as discernment.
/Criticism driven by discontent is ungodliness.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
DOCTRINAL WARNING 2
/Do not separate desire from doctrine.
/Unruled desire bends toward self-advantage.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
DOCTRINAL WARNING 3
/Do not sanctify manipulation.
/When people become tools, ministry is abandoned.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
EXAMINE YOUR HEART
/Does murmuring reveal resistance to God?
/Is Scripture or desire ruling your decisions?
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026
NEXT STEPS
1Read: Jude 1–25 daily.
2Memorize: Jude 1:16.
3Obey: Confront flattery with thanksgiving.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026