Creeps within the Church
“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.” Jude 1.4
The word “creep” is one of those words nearly everyone understands, but not many can agree on a specific definition. We often associate the term with horror films of the past in which there is someone lurking in the darkness waiting to strike at an unaware victim. Or, a mad scientist as he works to build a Frankenstein monster or to piece together various body parts into a new, never-before-seen, creature.
When used as a noun, the word “creep” informally suggests someone who makes another feel uncomfortable or ill at ease. A dictionary definition is: “…someone who is unpleasant, obnoxious, or makes others feel uncomfortable, often due to their behavior or strange/unpleasant demeanor.”
The phrase Jude uses, “crept in unawares,” translates a single Greek term, “pareisdúō,” which suggests someone who enters in craftily, secretly, without notice, like a thief. Used of the action of false teachers entering into the church under false claims. It is used only here giving to us a description of these who would knowingly and willingly subvert the truth of the biblical truth of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
These are ones who often set forth a pleasant personality yet bear harmful doctrine. They slide into a fellowship as someone who has an air of spirituality but seek anything other than unity of spirit and harmony within the group. These are they who grieve the heart of the Savior and bring to naught the work of godly saints.
We are carefully warned to contend for the faith while maintaining a right relationship with our Savior. We are to be ever vigilant of those who would destroy, if possible, the work of Christ.
Surrounding this verse are reminders offered by Jude indicating that those who would take this path are destined for destruction. The Truth has been delivered and stated plainly. Maintaining that Truth within the assembly is vital to experiencing a healthy worship relationship.
The leaders along with those who make up the assembly must keep their spiritual senses sharp in order to discern the difference between those who are young in the faith and those who are attempting to sow discord – between those who are honestly seeking answers and those who are seeking their own ends.
Fortunately for the group which is seeking God’s best, God has promised that He has already recorded the condemnation of the creeps – He knows who they are and what they are doing. The primary responsibility of each individual believer is to keep himself clean before God and spiritually pure.
While it is sometimes difficult to discern those who are considered biblical creeps, we have a divine responsibility to keep our own lives in order.
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” I John 5.20, 21
When used as a noun, the word “creep” informally suggests someone who makes another feel uncomfortable or ill at ease. A dictionary definition is: “…someone who is unpleasant, obnoxious, or makes others feel uncomfortable, often due to their behavior or strange/unpleasant demeanor.”
The phrase Jude uses, “crept in unawares,” translates a single Greek term, “pareisdúō,” which suggests someone who enters in craftily, secretly, without notice, like a thief. Used of the action of false teachers entering into the church under false claims. It is used only here giving to us a description of these who would knowingly and willingly subvert the truth of the biblical truth of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
These are ones who often set forth a pleasant personality yet bear harmful doctrine. They slide into a fellowship as someone who has an air of spirituality but seek anything other than unity of spirit and harmony within the group. These are they who grieve the heart of the Savior and bring to naught the work of godly saints.
We are carefully warned to contend for the faith while maintaining a right relationship with our Savior. We are to be ever vigilant of those who would destroy, if possible, the work of Christ.
Surrounding this verse are reminders offered by Jude indicating that those who would take this path are destined for destruction. The Truth has been delivered and stated plainly. Maintaining that Truth within the assembly is vital to experiencing a healthy worship relationship.
The leaders along with those who make up the assembly must keep their spiritual senses sharp in order to discern the difference between those who are young in the faith and those who are attempting to sow discord – between those who are honestly seeking answers and those who are seeking their own ends.
Fortunately for the group which is seeking God’s best, God has promised that He has already recorded the condemnation of the creeps – He knows who they are and what they are doing. The primary responsibility of each individual believer is to keep himself clean before God and spiritually pure.
While it is sometimes difficult to discern those who are considered biblical creeps, we have a divine responsibility to keep our own lives in order.
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” I John 5.20, 21
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