“Put Up a Hard Fight for the Faith”

“Beloved ones, . . . I found it necessary to write you to exhort you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones.”​—Jude 3.

1. What are some factors useful to Satan in his vain attempt to destroy true Christianity?

JEHOVAH’S servants must put up a staunch fight for the true faith. Their adversary, the Devil, seeks by outright persecution and subtle “crafty acts” to destroy their precious relationship with Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6:11, Kingdom Interlinear Translation; 1 Peter 5:8) In Satan’s vain attempt to crush true Christianity, he has tried to undermine it at times. Among the potentially corrupting factors that could serve this purpose are: (1) False teaching; (2) loose conduct; (3) lack of faith; (4) disregard for divinely constituted authority; (5) murmuring and complaining; and (6) the admiring of personalities for selfish benefit.

2. What details are here given regarding Jude’s letter?

² Jehovah provides precisely what is needed spiritually to protect his servants and fully combat the Archdeceiver. (Isaiah 59:1) One such provision is the divinely inspired letter of Jude. Likely, the disciple Jude wrote it in Palestine before 66 CE, for he mentions neither Cestius Gallus’ coming against Jerusalem in that year nor the fall of that city to the Romans under Titus in 70 CE.a

3. In what ways can Jude’s inspired letter be of great value today?

³ Although written centuries ago, the letter of Jude is of great value to us today. Spirit-appointed Christian overseers can and should use it as a basis for giving counsel. Moreover, if we study this letter prayerfully and in humility, it can help us personally. Especially is this so if we sense increased peril from false teaching or enticement to immorality, if we discern that our faith is ebbing, or if we note in our heart a growing tendency to disregard God-given authority, to murmur complainingly or to flatter certain individuals for our own selfish advantage. As we consider this inspired letter verse by verse, doubtless we will readily see how to apply its abiding counsel personally and congregationally.

Plea for Increased Mercy, Peace and Love

4. How did Jude identify himself, and with what significance?

⁴ Jude opened his letter with these words:

“Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to the called ones who are loved in relationship with God the Father and preserved for Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1)

As “a slave of Jesus Christ,” Jude was not in a degrading, abject servitude. Rather, this ‘slavery’ was based on the fact that Jesus’ followers have been bought with his precious blood for his kindly service, with everlasting life in view. They have been taken captive by Jesus’ love and have willingly surrendered themselves to him. (Matthew 11:29, 30; compare Ephesians 5:21-33.) Jude said that he was a “slave” of Christ, “but a brother of James,” apparently the James who was one of the Jerusalem congregation’s spiritual “pillars” and “the brother of the Lord.” (Galatians 2:9; 1:19; compare Acts 12:17; 15:13-21.) So Jude evidently was a fleshly half brother of Jesus, but humbly did not seek prominence by reason of his family tie with the Son of God.​—Mark 6:3.

5. (a) Who were the “called ones”? (b) How were the “called ones” ‘preserved for Christ’? (c) For whom, besides the “called ones,” is Jude’s letter of encouragement?

⁵ Jude’s letter was intended for wide general circulation. It was sent “to the called ones,” that is, to those called by God to the glorious heavenly kingdom of his Son. (John 6:44; compare Acts 16:14.) Jehovah loved these “called ones,” and it was his good pleasure to give them the kingdom if they personally maintained a spiritually acceptable condition. (Luke 12:32; Romans 8:38, 39; compare Isaiah 52:11.) They were “preserved for Jesus Christ” in that Jehovah God safeguarded them because they were in union with his Son, being members of his body. If faithful, they would be associated with Jesus in his kingdom. (Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5) But the fine admonition of this letter is not limited to such “called ones.” It can also be of much encouragement to the “great crowd” of other loyal ones who today share with Christ’s spiritual “brothers” in slaving for the kingdom.​—Matthew 24:14; 25:34-40; Revelation 7:4, 9, 15.

6. In what ways had God’s mercy been expressed toward Jude’s fellow worshipers?

⁶ Next, Jude expressed these heartfelt sentiments:

“May mercy and peace and love be increased to you.” (Jude 2)

Those to whom Jude’s letter was addressed were granted divine mercy, peace and love when they became dedicated believers and received Jehovah’s forgiveness of their sins through Jesus Christ. God’s mercy was expressed in the ransom provision he made through Jesus. (Titus 3:4-7) Another manifestation of God’s mercy consisted of their not being under bondage to the Mosaic law, to unscriptural traditions, to God-dishonoring conduct and the like. (Romans 7:4; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; compare Revelation 18:1-5.) It was further mercy on Jehovah’s part when he preserved them for Jesus Christ, that they might serve as his slaves, as when declaring the “good news.” (Mark 13:10) Jude’s prayerful wish was that his fellow worshipers have divine mercy in increased measure.

7. Why and how do Christians experience peace?

⁷ Jude also prayed that his fellow believers would experience an increase of peace. Because of being unreservedly dedicated to God, Jehovah’s Witnesses today have an intimate relationship with him. Thus they are at peace with Jehovah and also have “the peace of God that excels all thought,” a tranquillity of heart and mind that unbelievers do not understand. (Philippians 4:6, 7; Colossians 1:19, 20) Moreover, they cultivate and display peace, a fruit of God’s spirit, and are able to pursue peace with fellow humans. (Galatians 5:22, 23; Hebrews 12:14) Then, too, faithful Christians fear neither the future nor death itself, but are at peace, knowing that Jehovah is with them and makes all his works cooperate for the good of those loving him.​—Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:28.

8. How has Jehovah’s love been manifested toward us?

⁸ Jehovah’s great love was manifested in the giving of his Son “in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) While we were yet sinners having no personal relationship with Jehovah, he showed this love for us. (Romans 5:8) But, with faith in that ransom provision, we need to keep ourselves in God’s love. Jude also prayed that love be increased toward those to whom his letter was addressed.

9. Why did Jude’s fellow believers need mercy, peace and love in increased measure?

⁹ Jude prayed for God’s mercy, peace and love to be increased toward his beloved fellow believers because their spiritual welfare was being imperiled. Hence, they needed God’s mercy, peace and love in greater abundance than ever before.

“Put Up a Hard Fight”

10. Jude had intended to write about what?

¹⁰ Jude next emphasized the seriousness of matters, saying:

“Beloved ones, though I was making every effort to write you about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write you to exhort you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones.” (Jude 3)

Jude’s use of the endearing expression “Beloved ones” assured his fellow worshipers of his affection despite his strong message. (John 13:35; compare Romans 1:7; 3 John 1, 2.) He had intended to write about the ‘salvation held in common’ by those “called” to the heavenly kingdom. (Galatians 3:26-29) It related to the precious hope of salvation that Christians possessed “according to a faith shared in common” in Jude’s day.​—Titus 1:4.

11. What was the ‘faith delivered to the holy ones’?

¹¹ The ‘faith delivered to the holy ones’ was the sum of beliefs regarding Jehovah God and his kingdom as delivered to Christians by Jesus and his inspired disciples. Apparently, it was delivered “once for all time” in the sense that Jesus’ anointed followers, the “holy ones,” received it nineteen centuries ago as the only true good news. It remains “the faith” to which Jehovah’s Witnesses today realize they must cling tenaciously, as there really is no other good news or message of salvation worthy of credence. (Galatians 1:6-8) And a prominent feature of that good news is that Jesus Christ died for the whole world of mankind. It is therefore of vital interest to the “great crowd” of “other sheep” in our day.​—John 10:16; 1 John 2:1, 2; Revelation 7:9.

12. Why did Jude write to exhort fellow believers to “put up a hard fight for the faith”?

¹² In Jude’s day false teachers professing Christianity were endeavoring to foist a counterfeit good news upon God’s people. Such teachings threatened their faith and salvation. (Matthew 24:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4) Hence, to counteract this development, and as moved by the holy spirit and love, Jude “found it necessary” to write and exhort fellow believers to “put up a hard fight for the faith.”

13. To escape deception and loss of salvation, what must Jehovah’s Witnesses do today?

¹³ If we, as present-day Christian witnesses of Jehovah, are to remain loyal to God and escape deception and loss of salvation, we, too, must “put up a hard fight” against any sham good news, earnestly resisting, wrestling against, attempts to add to or take away from the teaching of Jehovah’s refined, inspired Word. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5, 6; Revelation 22:18, 19) We must measure any new or foreign teachings in the light of God’s entire Word and firmly hold to the faith that leads to salvation.​—Hebrews 1:1, 2; 2:3, 4.

14, 15. (a) In what way did Jude explain the reason for changing his letter’s purpose? (b) Why would the false teachers not succeed in subverting or defiling the Christian congregation as a whole?

¹⁴ Explaining his change of purpose in writing, Jude stated:

“My reason is that certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to this judgment, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4)

The men who had “slipped in” among true Christians insidiously taught falsehood. (Compare Galatians 2:4; 1 John 2:19.) Jesus had foretold an enemy movement designed to corrupt Jehovah’s people, for he showed that the Devil would sow “weeds,” or false Christians, among the “wheat,” or Christ’s true followers. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) There had also been apostolic warnings of apostasy, Peter specifically mentioning “false teachers.”​—2 Peter 2:1; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

¹⁵ However, those wicked men would not succeed in subverting or defiling the congregation as a whole. “Long ago,” even prior to faithful Enoch’s prophesying, such men were appointed to God’s adverse judgment. (Genesis 3:15; 5:21-24; Jude 14, 15) “This judgment” apparently is spelled out by what follows in Jude’s letter.

16. How were the “ungodly men” guilty of “turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct,” and what was wrong with their thinking?

¹⁶ Those false teachers were “ungodly men,” or those having “no reverence for God.” (The New Testament in Modern English, translated by J. B. Phillips) They looked upon Jehovah’s cleansed people with unchaste motives and impure eyes. Erroneously, those irreverential men concluded that since God forgave former fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, and so forth, he would be merciful enough to forgive a person who willfully went after such sinful things again. They wrongly thought that they could break God’s moral laws with impunity, then go through a form of repentance and stay among Jehovah’s people until the next time they lusted for indulgence in sin and ‘enticed unsteady souls’ into immorality. (2 Peter 2:14) Thus the “ungodly men” were guilty of “turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct.” They did not really appreciate or acknowledge that God was merciful in washing believers from their sins in Christ’s blood so that they might ever afterward pursue a righteous course.​—Romans 6:11-23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

17. In what way might some ‘prove false to their only Owner and Lord,’ and what awaits them?

¹⁷ If any of us, as dedicated witnesses of Jehovah, were to yield to ungodly persons and become slaves of sin for selfish fleshly gratification, we would be “proving false” to the one who bought us with his precious blood. We would be disowning Jesus Christ as Owner and Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:22, 23) Since destruction awaits those doing this, how vital it is that we resist such wicked men!

Strong Counsel for Our Day

18, 19. (a) What sinful course have some professed Christians followed? (b) How have some others been influenced? (c) What inspired counsel should help faithful Christians to become better equipped to “put up a hard fight for the faith”?

¹⁸ Today a few who have become associated with the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses have sought to promote false teaching and loose conduct. These unscrupulous individuals disregard God’s righteous standards and are a real danger to loyal Christians.

¹⁹ Sad to say, hardworking, righteously disposed followers of Jesus Christ can be influenced by false teaching and loose conduct. But Jude’s strong counsel will strengthen the faithful so that they do not succumb to such Satanic efforts to destroy their relationship with Jehovah God. And as we now continue our consideration of Jude’s inspired letter, may we become better equipped to “put up a hard fight for the faith.”

[Footnotes]

Heed the ‘Warnings Placed Before Us’!

1, 2. The letter of Jude provides what in the way of instruction?

JEHOVAH is a God of warning. (2 Kings 17:12-15; Ezekiel 3:17-21) His people know that he does not wish to see anyone perish because of pursuing a course that leads to destruction. (Ezekiel 18:23, 32) And surely Jehovah’s Witnesses are grateful that their heavenly Father warns, directs and saves those loving him.

² The inspired letter of Jude provides both warning and direction. In the previous article we learned why Jude urged fellow believers to “put up a hard fight for the faith.” Now let us give prayerful thought to his warnings from the past.​—Romans 15:4.

Beware of a Lack of Faith

3. Of what did Jude “desire to remind” fellow believers?

³ Jude proceeds with a warning related to faith, saying:

“I desire to remind you, despite your knowing all things once for all time, that Jehovah, although he saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those not showing faith.” (Jude 5)

Unless Christians successfully “put up a hard fight for the faith,” they can lose an approved standing before Jehovah God. To prevent this, Jude ‘desired to remind’ imperiled fellow believers of things that they once learned and of how God dealt with unfaithful ones in times past.

4. How and why did Jehovah ‘save’ the enslaved Israelites?

⁴ In Jude verse five Jude first pointed out that Jehovah God “saved,” or delivered, the enslaved Israelites from Egyptian bondage. God did so after they obediently observed the first Passover. The marvelous deliverance from Egypt was brought about by Jehovah because the once-enslaved people acted in faith.​—Exodus 12:1-14, 31.

5. (a) What is symbolic Egypt, and on what basis does Jehovah save people from it? (b) For final salvation, what must Jehovah’s dedicated witnesses do?

⁵ Comparably, Jehovah saves people from symbolic Egypt, the world of mankind alienated from him. (Revelation 11:8) He does this because in faith they recognize him as the God of their salvation and Jesus Christ as the antitypical passover Lamb whose blood buys them out of this world. (1 Corinthians 5:7) But to share in salvation, whether in heaven or on earth, a dedicated witness of Jehovah must remain faithful to Him and never apostatize and go back to this wicked world and its sinful bondage, even as the liberated Israelites were not to return to Egypt. (Deuteronomy 17:16; Matthew 24:13) Unceasing faith is vital, for although having “saved” a people out of Egypt, Jehovah “afterwards destroyed those not showing faith,” those wanting to return to Egypt or to Egyptian ways. (Compare 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Exodus 32:4-6; Numbers 25:1-18; 21:4-9; 14:35-38.) Surely, then, for final salvation Jehovah’s dedicated witnesses today must maintain their faith.​—Hebrews 3:12, 13.

Dire Consequences of Immorality

6. (a) What was the “original position” of the angels, and what is their “proper dwelling place”? (b) Sin of what kind was committed by certain angels? (c) How did the sinful course of the rebellious angels compare with that of the “ungodly men” mentioned by Jude?

⁶ Giving a second warning example, Jude wrote:

“And the angels that did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place he has reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 6)

Angels were created as spirit creatures, having the prospect of eternal life in heaven. (Psalm 103:20; 104:4; Hebrews 1:7) That was their beginning, their “original position.” “Their own proper dwelling place,” or intended habitation, was in the invisible heavens. But certain angels presumptuously forsook their proper heavenly home. The apostle Peter said that they “sinned,” and immediately thereafter he cited events of Noah’s day. (2 Peter 2:4, 5) This draws attention to the preflood time when “the sons [the fifth-century Alexandrine Manuscript of the Septuagint Version says “angels”] of the true God,” apparently by materializing fleshly bodies, disobediently took good-looking women as wives. (Genesis 6:1, 2) Since cohabitation with women was unnatural for spirit creatures, these angels sinned by yielding to what for them was totally wrong desire. (James 1:13-15) Similarly, the “ungodly men” of whom Jude spoke desired to have immoral relations with persons of the opposite sex.

7, 8. (a) What has happened to the disobedient angels? (b) Hence, what must we do to remain in a saved condition?

⁷ What happened to the disobedient angels served as a warning to Christians of Jude’s day, and serves as a warning to Jehovah’s Witnesses of modern times. Although those angels could escape death in the deluge by dematerializing, they were prevented from returning to their “original position” as holy spirit creatures enjoying the light of God’s counsel and approval. Rather, they have been reserved with “eternal bonds,” with God’s powers of restraint, until the divine “judgment of the great day” of their destruction. Meanwhile, there is no indication that they can materialize fleshly bodies, and they remain out of Jehovah’s service, in dense spiritual darkness, in so-called Tartarus.​—2 Peter 2:4.

⁸ Inasmuch as disobedient angels are not exempt from falling to their destruction, Jehovah’s Witnesses today realize that they can remain in a saved condition only by ‘putting up a hard fight for the faith.’ We must, indeed, resist any humans who would go beyond God-given boundaries and seek to defile flesh.

9, 10. (a) Inhabitants of Sodom and nearby cities were guilty of what moral sins? (b) What warning example was furnished by Sodom, Gomorrah and surrounding cities?

⁹ Giving a third warning example, Jude says:

“So too Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them, after they in the same manner as the foregoing ones had committed fornication excessively and gone out after flesh for unnatural use, are placed before us as a warning example by undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire.” (Jude 7)

“Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them” apparently included Admah and Zeboiim and perhaps other towns in the District. Due to the wickedness of their inhabitants, by a rain of sulfur and fire from heaven Jehovah overthrew all these cities except Zoar, to which “righteous Lot” and his daughters fled. (2 Peter 2:6-10; Genesis 14:2; 19:18-29; Deuteronomy 29:22, 23) By using the words rendered “so too,” Jude apparently associated what happened to those cities with what occurred in the case of the disobedient angels, who had done something unnatural for spirit creatures by taking women as wives. Here The Jerusalem Bible reads: “The fornication of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other nearby towns was equally unnatural.” Their inhabitants not only committed fornication with women but satiated their lust for men and perhaps even for beasts. (Compare Leviticus 18:22-25.) A mob of men and boys in Sodom lusted for sexual relations with Lot’s guests whom the mob took for men, but were foiled when the two visiting angels struck them with blindness, thereafter rescuing Lot from the doomed city.​—Genesis 19:1-17.

¹⁰ Sodom, Gomorrah and surrounding cities furnished a warning example “by undergoing [Jehovah God’s] judicial punishment of everlasting fire,” eternal destruction. The charred ruins of at least Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim are thought to lie under the waters of the southern portion of the Salt (Dead) Sea or in that region. So neither they nor their inhabitants are still burning. Apparently the cities themselves, rather than all their inhabitants, were everlastingly destroyed, for it seems that at least some individuals once residing there will be resurrected. (Matthew 10:15; 11:24; Revelation 20:12, 13) But what happened to those degraded cities is a dramatic warning against immoral conduct, one to be heeded by Jehovah’s Witnesses today.

Do Not Disregard God-given Authority

11. How did the “ungodly men” who had slipped in among God’s people compare with the degraded people of Sodom and surrounding cities?

¹¹ Jude next referred to the “ungodly men” and said:

“In like manner, notwithstanding, these men, too, indulging in dreams, are defiling the flesh and disregarding lordship and speaking abusively of glorious ones.” (Jude 8)

“In like manner,” or, apparently, in the same way that the degraded people of Sodom and surrounding cities polluted their flesh with loose and unnatural sexual relations, so the evil-intentioned men who slipped in among God’s people defiled the fleshly body. They had no regard for apostolic counsel to “flee from fornication.”​—1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

12. (a) How were the ungodly intruders “indulging in dreams”? (b) What is in store for unrepentant practicers of immorality?

¹² Those intruders were also “indulging in dreams,” perhaps because they sought to uphold their views with feigned prophetic dreams. (Compare 2 Peter 2:1; Deuteronomy 13:1-5.) For that matter, their dreams might have involved impure sexual fantasies, or this expression may mean that their teachings were mere “delusions.” (JB) In any event, those “ungodly men” looked for ways to further their opportunities for sexual immorality and thought they could get away with unclean conduct. Let none of Jehovah’s Witnesses today fall into that trap! The Supreme Judge unquestionably executes judgment upon unrepentant practicers of immorality.​—Genesis 18:25.

13. What attitude did the immoral ‘dreamers’ have toward divinely constituted authority?

¹³ Those immoral ‘dreamers’ also ‘disregarded lordship and spoke abusively of glorious ones.’ They arrogantly despised divinely constituted authority. (Proverbs 21:4; 2 Peter 2:10) Like the disobedient angels, those men had a rebellious spirit and deserved adverse judgment because they actually had no regard for the Universal Sovereign and his beloved Son.

14. Who were the “glorious ones”?

¹⁴ Those ungodly persons also spoke abusively of “glorious ones” (literally, “of glories”), evidently those who had certain glory conferred upon them by Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. (John 17:22; 1 Peter 4:12-14) Of course, since such glory, or honor, came from God, no direct credit was to be given to the favored persons on earth who enjoyed it. However, all of Jehovah’s Witnesses should respect such “glory” and speak of it accordingly, with chief regard for Jehovah God.​—1 Samuel 2:30.

15. (a) How did the flesh-defiling ‘dreamers’ speak about “glorious ones”? (b) What should we do if we have even a tendency to disregard God-given authority?

¹⁵ Certainly, those of Christ’s anointed followers who serve faithfully as appointed Christian overseers have had glory, or honor, conferred upon them. Fellow Witnesses should cooperate with them and support them in God’s service. Let us not be like the flesh-defiling ‘dreamers’ of Jude’s day who despised Jehovah’s lordship and did not respect glories from him, but talked abusively about those clothed with such glories. (Compare 3 John 9, 10.) So, if we have even a tendency to disregard God-given authority, may we prayerfully seek Jehovah’s help in adjusting our viewpoint.

Michael’s Splendid Example

16. What contrast was there between the archangel Michael and the disrespectful ‘dreamers’?

¹⁶ For our benefit, Jude cites a splendid example, stating:

“But when Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: ‘May Jehovah rebuke you.’” (Jude 9)

What a contrast there was between the disrespectful ‘dreamers’ and Michael the archangel who became our Lord Jesus Christ! (Compare Proverbs 8:22-31; John 6:62; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16.) In speaking abusively of God’s servants, the ungodly ‘dreamers’ took liberties that even Jehovah’s Son did not take when disputing with Satan over the body of the Hebrew prophet Moses. There is no earlier Scriptural record of this dispute. But in some undisclosed manner Jude received this information and recorded it for our benefit.

17. (a) In the dispute over Moses’ body, what did Michael not do, and why? (b) How did Michael set Jehovah’s people an example of respect for divine authority?

¹⁷ Possibly, the Devil wanted Moses’ dead body so as to start a religious cult around it and thus corrupt Jehovah’s people. Yet Michael did not resort to bringing a judgment against the Devil in abusive terms. Michael “did not dare” to do so because of having proper fear of Jehovah. Nor did he run ahead of Jehovah’s appointed time for dealing with Satan. (Revelation 12:7-9; 20:1-3, 7-10) Instead, God’s beloved Son showed respect for the Supreme Judge and accorded him the right to rebuke the Devil. Hence, Michael told Satan: “May Jehovah rebuke you.” Although Michael’s statements were not harsh, he showed power by keeping control of Moses’ body, and Jehovah buried the prophet in an unmarked grave. (Deuteronomy 34:1-6) Surely, in all of this God’s Son set Jehovah’s people a splendid example of respect for divine authority. May we follow it.

18. Why can it be said that the would-be flesh defilers lacked spirituality?

¹⁸ By way of contrast, Jude next said:

“Yet these men are speaking abusively of all the things they really do not know; but all the things that they do understand naturally like the unreasoning animals, in these things they go on corrupting themselves.” (Jude 10)

Although the would-be flesh defilers were so inferior to Michael, who would not bring a judgment against Satan in abusive terms, they spoke abusively not only of “glorious ones” but also “of all the [spiritual] things they really [did] not know” or understand. “Not having spirituality” (Jude 19), they could not comprehend spiritual matters. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) Jehovah’s thoughts, ways, dealings and activities were foreign to such “ungodly men.”

19. How were the “ungodly men” like “unreasoning animals”?

¹⁹ Out of respect for Jehovah God, neither the archangel Michael nor the other righteous angels speak abusively of those upon whom God has bestowed certain glory. But these “ungodly men” did so because they had surrendered fully to animalistic passions. They understood not spiritual things but only what appealed to their fleshly passions. So, like animals that mind only the flesh, they sought the gratification of the fallen flesh. Those men, intent on satisfying base sensual desires, ‘corrupted themselves’ in fleshly sins. Thus they showed themselves to be no better than “unreasoning animals born naturally to be caught and destroyed” without any hope of resurrection.​—2 Peter 2:9-13.

20. In view of Jude’s words considered thus far, what course should loyal witnesses of Jehovah pursue?

²⁰ How vital that Jehovah’s Witnesses today completely resist false teachers, would-be flesh defilers and those disregarding divinely constituted authority! Yet, if the counsel thus far considered in Jude’s letter reveals a degree of error in our individual attitudes or ways, may we hasten to change our course, prayerfully seeking the aid of our heavenly Father. And may we ever benefit spiritually because of heeding the ‘warnings placed before us.’