These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots (Jude 12 KJV)
Jude described to us false brethren who crept into the fold of believers. As soon as the Church was founded, false brethren, teachers, and prophets crept in. They have been amongst God’s people since then. Jude says above that these false teachers are “clouds without water.” What a description!
This is figurative language. A cloud in the Old Testament was a symbol of God’s presence, the heavenly. In this context, it is the source of water or rain, which remains the most important physical element for life. The presence or absence of rain in ancient Israel was a matter of life or death. Cloud was a symbol of heaven’s favorable response to send rain that made the earth fruitful. These false teachers presented themselves as clouds. They came as people sent from God to bring salvation, healing, freedom, deliverance, and joy to the people.
However, they came as clouds but had no water. They promised the people a lot—deliverance, healing, prosperity, etc., except that the people never get delivered, healed, or prosperous. They have a form of godliness, but there is no true power. They come as sheep( Christlike) but speak as a dragon( devilish). Jesus’ words remain true: by their fruits, you shall know them. Be careful.
MEDITATE
How does the parable of the wheat and tares relate to the content of the devotional above? ( Matt. 13:24-30).
What is the difference between these false brethren or ministers and true believers or ministers in error?
APPLY THE WORD
Believers are very vulnerable. We often put down our guards when we hear of a “prophetic word”, “word of knowledge”, “anointing”, “miracles,” etc. Satan knows it and is using it to his advantage. Beware of clouds without water.
PRAY
Ask the Spirit to establish us in the Truth to stand against the deceptions of the devil.