The Deplorable Perversion of Knowledge
T. Croskery Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts… This verse is a practical application of the historic reference to the archangel Michael. I. THE LESSON OF IGNORANT DEPRECIATION. "But these rail at whatsoever things they know not." These were unseen spiritual powers whom they treat with mocking irreverence. 1. The ignorance in question is that conceited and contented ignorance of which the psalmist speaks. "They know not nor will understand, but walk on in darkness." They are "willingly ignorant" (Romans 1:28). None are so ready to speak as the ignorant. Or, it is ignorance of things not possible for man to know in his present life, and is therefore excusable. 2. The sinfulness of railing at such things. (1) It is great folly, for it is railing at what is the result of man's infirmity or his limited powers. "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is a folly and a shame to him" (Proverbs 18:13). (2) It is great presumption. 3. It is great wickedness; for it is to impute evil where none may exist. It is to rejoice in the evil which may only exist in our own thoughts. How great is the sin of railing at things which are worthy! We see how corrupt affections blind the judgment. 4. We ought to reprove known evil, and to praise what we know to be good. II. THE LESSON OF THE RUIN WROUGHT BY SENSUAL KNOWLEDGE. "And what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things they corrupt themselves." 1. The range and scope of natural knowledge. Jude refers here to the familiar objects of sense as equally obvious to both man and beast. (1) These evil persons, like the irrational animals, readily discover the means of gratifying their desires. (2) They receive all their blessings, like the beasts, without thought or thanks to the Giver. (3) They cannot improve them spiritually any more than the beasts which only live to eat. (4) They use them to excess, wallowing like swine in the mire of mere sensual enjoyments. (5) They are impatient of restraint in proportion to the full enjoyment of natural bounties. 2. The corruption that springs out of mere things of sense. (1) These evil men, by their abuse of natural blessings, bring disease upon themselves. (2) They corrupt their moral nature. "Wine and women take away the heart" (Hosea 4:11). Outward enjoyments make no man excel in beauty of character. (3) They are corrupted eternally. "Satan lies in ambush behind our lawful enjoyments." "They who sow to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption" (Galatians 6:8). - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. WEB: But these speak evil of whatever things they don't know. What they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, they are destroyed in these things.