Jude 1:10
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
False teachers speak evil against matters they do not understand, while the things they know only by natural instinct they pursue like unreasoning animals, and in those very things they bring about their own corruption. The warning belongs to a letter addressed to those sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ, urging them to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. That contending means bringing people back from transgression of the commandments of God, proclaiming the gospel of Christ with earnestness and zeal as light to commandment-breakers to arouse them to prepare to meet God, and raising the standard of truth and magnifying the law that is being trampled underfoot, since sin is the transgression of the law.
Its immediate context identifies these people as filthy dreamers who defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities, unlike Michael the archangel who when contending with the devil about the body of Moses would not bring a railing accusation but said the Lord rebuke thee. They have gone in the way of Cain, run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah, and are spots in feasts of charity, murmurers and complainers walking after their own lusts. The faith once delivered must therefore be contended for against ungodly men crept in unawares who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness and deny the Lord. It is part of a warning about apostate conditions to be met in the present day, describing people who reject reproof and continue in an evil course.
The spirit it warns against will intensify toward the end of time, when people will pursue selfish plans to exalt themselves and seek their own glory, like Nebuchadnezzar. It guards believers against the seductive influence of false teachers who have a form of godliness but are not safe leaders. In the last days such teachers arise and become actively zealous, presenting all kinds of theories to divert minds from the very truth that defines the position that can be occupied with safety. This occurs at a time when Satan works with power upon religionists to lead them to make a pretense of being righteous while failing to place themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It forbids men in responsibility to set themselves up as investigating agents who put their own human judgment on the work God is carrying forward and condemn what they do not understand. It exposes a proud, ambitious spirit, especially among those connected with the Review and Herald office, that conflicts against the very work God desires to advance and proves those controlled by it are not under the control of the divine Teacher. It requires careful reading of the Word of God, putting off pride for the meek and lowly spirit of Christ, looking to God in humble earnest prayer for the Holy Spirit as the great need, and a complete transformation of character, without which God will not acknowledge such men as trustworthy. It particularly describes people who reject spiritual truth and, by indulging their natural appetites, bring corruption upon themselves.