Bishop Keith Butler
Jan 5
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. (Jude 1:8)
Jude 1:8 gives us a look at how dangerous our words can be and how important it is for us to keep a close watch on what we say.
This verse begins with the word likewise, referring to something he wrote earlier in the letter. Previously, Jude was talking about the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who lived according to their unbridled appetites and desires.
Jude was giving a warning against those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government. These individuals, who are self-seeking, self-willed, and fleshly-driven, have no problems fearlessly speaking evil of people in positions of authority and Jude called them filthy dreamers.
Dreamers is an interesting word in the Greek. It is enupniazomai. It’s the word from which we get the English word hypnosis. It referred to someone who has been hypnotized by their own feelings, their emotions, and has convinced themselves to believe something is true that isn’t. This person believes something is acceptable that isn’t even logical.
The word dominion is important in this text as well. It refers to different governments. These dreamers find any way possible to speak in contempt against people in power and authority. Romans 13 tells us that God sets people in positions of authority. That doesn’t mean we can’t question policies or laws that are made, especially those that disagree with Scripture. It means that we are not to speak against the office of one in a position of authority. We can disagree with policy, but we should honor their offices. Reverence should guide our words, acknowledging the authority that dignities hold comes from God Himself.
At your job, in your family, or on social media, criticism usually flows freely. It’s easy for us to criticize by condemning a person. Our challenge as Christians is to rise above the chaos of critical judgments by choosing words that build up rather than tear down.