Jude 9 Slander

“But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 9

Jude starts out this very short letter stating that he originally wanted to talk about the salvation the people shared in with him. He decided not to do that because there was something else of greater importance. This was that there were people among them who were ungodly.

These ungodly people were not just worldly people, but people who claimed to know God. They would pervert the gospel message to the point of saying they could sin anyway that they wanted and it was acceptable.

One of the things they were known for was slander. Not only would they slander other humans, they also slandered heavenly beings. They may have been stating slander about angels at this time.

In today’s verse, Jude states something that is interesting. He points out that the archangel Michael did not even slander the devil himself. The devil, who is worthy to be slandered, was not slandered by this great angel. Michael was one of the highest angels. He had great authority and could have done so but did not.

Instead of slander, Michael stated that the Lord was to rebuke the devil. He refused to take on the authority and left it to God.

Many times today people will condemn sinners in their sinful practices. People will look at a mass murderer and condemn him to death and hell. Often people in a church will look at one member who is living in some sin and condemn him.

Jude is saying that is not your place to do so. God is the only one who has the legitimate right to condemn a person.

You may point out to a person that the sinful lifestyle they are living may bring on the judgment of God and damage their walk with God. But in no way is a person to condemn any person to hell. Allow God to bring on that judgment or rebuke.

Jesus came to save, not condemn. Are you trying to bring the person to Jesus to be saved? Or are you just condemning them with no chance of life?

I pray today that God will help you watch the words of your mouth; that you will not condemn other people; that you will build people up and bring them to Christ Jesus; and that you will allow God to bring His own judgment in His own time on whoever He decides.