How to Recognize Divisive People in the Church | Jude 14–19

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ESTHER:

We will begin Esther next Monday. I have titled this one, FOR SUCH A TIME: Courage When God Seems Silent. Grab the Esther Journal now. If you are a Project23 donor giving $35/month or more, do not purchase one; we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our text today is Jude 14-19

“It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’ These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”  — Jude 14-19

You can usually hear division before you see it. It starts in the mouth. A complaint. Then a grievance. Finally, a strong personality gathers unsuspecting or willing people. And by the time a church visibly divides, hearts have usually been dividing for a while.

Jude quotes a prophecy from Enoch. The reference may sound strange to us, but Jude’s point is very simple: The Lord is coming. And when he comes, every hidden motive, rebellious action, and harsh word will be brought into the light.

God will not allow evil talk to divide his people forever. It ends when Jesus returns. He will execute judgment and convict the ungodly. In fact, Jude uses the word ungodly four times in a single sentence.

These people might have sounded spiritual. They may have attended Christian gatherings, used Christian language, and presented themselves as leaders. But their lives and mouths kept pointing away from God.

Then Jude tells us what that ungodliness sounds like.

1. They are grumblers.
2. They are malcontents.
3. They follow their own sinful desires.
4. They are loud-mouthed boasters.
5. They show favoritism to gain an advantage.

That’s a descriptive list. So let's work through this and see what Jude is calling these divisive people.

What's a grumbler? Grumbling is not the same as honestly naming pain or addressing a real problem. Grumbling is different. Grumbling keeps God, leadership, circumstances, and everyone else on trial. It keeps talking about the problem without ever moving toward a faithful solution.

Next on the list malcontents. These are people who are never satisfied. Change the circumstances, and they will find a brand new complaint. Give them what they asked for, and soon they will ask for something else.

Next, sinful desires. In other words, their flesh or appetites lead, and their beliefs follow. They do not bring their desires under God’s control. They reshape truth to protect their personal desires.

Next, Jude calls them loud-mouthed boasters. They talk big. They make themselves sound important, informed, spiritual, successful, or specially chosen. They use words to elevate themselves and diminish others.

And finally, they show favoritism to gain an advantage. They tell influential people what they want to hear. They praise the person who can promote them, protect them, pay them, or give them access. They are driven by leverage.

Then Jude tells believers, “You must remember.” He is reminding them that the apostles already warned that these scoffers would come. With the purpose of “causing divisions.”

Not everyone who asks a question. But a deliberate divisive person who gathers groups around a grievance. They fracture trust, recruit supporters, stir suspicion, and pull others away from truth. They do not want resolution. They want a following. Jude calls them “worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” They may use spiritual words, but the Spirit of God is not directing them. Their desires, pride, and ambitions are.

I really have to watch this in myself. I can call what is actually divisive discernment. I can repeat the same complaint to three different people and tell myself I’m just processing. But sometimes I’m not processing. I’m recruiting.

That is how division spreads. And before long, people who once walked together become suspicious of one another.

Jesus did the opposite. He never manipulated people with flattery. He never built himself up through boasting. He never gathered people around petty complaints. He spoke the truth. He submitted to the Father. And he laid down his life to bring divided people back together under God.

So before we point at loud scoffers online or divisive voices in the church, we need to listen to our own words and test our own motivations.

The Lord is coming; therefore, every word matters. So don't let your mouth become a doorway for division. Tell the truth. Take your complaint to God. Speak directly to the right person. Refuse to flatter people for personal advantage. And abide under the leadership of the Holy Spirit in all you do.

DO THIS:

Identify one complaint you have repeated recently. Before you repeat it again, write down:

• What is actually bothering me?
• What does Scripture require of me?
• Who is the right person to speak with?

Then talk to the right person instead of three people who cannot resolve it.

ASK THIS:

1. Which pattern appears most often in your speech: grumbling, discontent, boasting, sinful desire, or favoritism?
2. Are you genuinely trying to resolve a concern, or are you recruiting people into your frustration?
3. How can you protect unity without avoiding necessary truth and confrontation?

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, guard my mouth from grumbling, pride, and division, and help me speak truth with humility under the leadership of your Spirit. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

O Church Arise.