As we continue through the book of Jude, he’s giving us an understanding of the way false teachers operate. This will help us to steer clear of their influence. Hopefully, it will also help leaders to avoid taking their path.
They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame…
Jude 13a NIV
Here is another description Jude gives us to reveal their character. He calls them wild waves of the sea.
If you remember, at the start of this series I talked about the fact that Jude was the brother of James, who wrote the book of James. It seems to me that the two of them had discussions about this.
Listen to what James wrote. In context, he’s talking about someone asking God for wisdom.
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:6-8 NIV
The first insight James gives us is that these false teachers are actually doubting God. The word doubt in the Greek actually means to thoroughly judge, discern or discriminate in the decision making process.
The problem is that these teachers are judging God’s Word. It’s not up to us to decide whether God means what He says or not. His Word is truth. It doesn’t matter what things look like from our perspective.
The next thing I see is that these people are like a wave on the ocean. But it’s not just any wave. It’s a wave that’s specifically formed by the wind blowing across the water. That kind of wave only moves in the direction that the wind is blowing.
False teachers are really good at discerning what it is that people want to hear. Then they package it in an exciting, and even Scripture based message. Little do the hearers know that they’re being led astray by wrong interpretations of the Bible.
This person is also called double-minded, or literally double-souled. It’s like they have a split personality. When they’re around God’s people it seems like they’re super spiritual. But, many times, in private these teachers are just the opposite.
According to James, this person is unstable in all he does. That literally means that the road he’s taking has no permanent direction. These false teachers are continually updating their message to keep their followers entertained – and to keep the money train rolling.
That’s why we need to be constantly aware in the spirit. Regularly spend time in God’s presence. That’s what will keep you safe from their influence.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Ephesians 4:14 NIV
Paul understood all of this. We need to heed his exhortation. Spend time reading the Word and in prayer each day. Stay strong and alert in the spirit.
Question: How do you keep yourself spiritually vigilant?
© 2026 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 