Jude 16 KJV
[16] “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”
Jude takes the time to give us a profile of the apostates he has been talking about. He begins by saying that they are murmurers. Think about what it means to murmur. The definition of murmuring is a low and distinct continuous sound. It means to complain in soft, mumbling tones or to grumble.
That is what apostates like to do. They like to sneak around spewing their deceit and poisoning others in a soft tone. They constantly question the truth to cause others to doubt it. You cannot satisfy someone who is a murmurer. They will always find something to grumble about. That is how apostates begin to reach those they set out to deceive. They cannot build anything up, so they have to tear down what others have built.
They complain to those who will listen. They are constantly looking for someone they can find fault with. They will write articles and produce podcasts debating the truth. They despise the truth and those who live by it.
Jude says they walk after their own lusts, meaning they are all about their own selfish desires. They are not interested in anything that benefits anyone other than themselves. Having the gift of gab, they know how to articulate words. We must be careful not to be swayed by someone who has a great personality and is well-spoken. Listen to what people say rather than be fooled by how they say it. Do not allow their charisma to sweep you off your feet. We must be interested in one thing, which is the truth of God’s Word.
The truth does not need to be dressed up or appealing to my flesh in any way. The truth is to be given just as it is, to men as they are, and we have a responsibility to receive it. Jude does an excellent job of giving us the profile of apostates in this verse. You and I will do well to remember this verse of Scripture. Think about all the great preachers God has placed in your life who invested in you and were interested in your soul. We should take a moment and thank God that He has kept us from being deceived.