Jude 10 ANIMAL INSTINCTS Gnosticism (knowledge), is a heretical teaching contrary to the Bible. In three major points it undermines Christianity, and brings about spiritual and moral corruption that is consistent with false doctrine. It insisted that they had secret knowledge that was hidden from most believers. The scripture teaches that Christ provides all the knowledge we need. The false teaching said the body of a human is evil. The scripture teaches that Christ lived in a body in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Gnosticism taught that Christ only seemed to be a human but was not, because a human in a body would be sinful. The scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus was fully human and fully God. He is the God-man.
The false teachers that came among God's people claimed to have a better understanding, maybe even a secret understanding, of spiritual things that gave them authority. The problem was they were speaking about things of which they knew nothing. They were "dead in trespasses and in sin." Michael the archangel knew when to be quiet, and he was far superior in every way to all of them. They were speaking evil and slandering people and their biblical teaching, when they didn't know even what they were saying. For some perverse reason, those who are false in their teaching want to demean and denigrate those they don't even know because of some hidden reason.
There are those who seem to think it is important to see others put down in order for them to rise up to their perceived position of importance. They spend a lot of time looking for things to criticize in people who are committed to the scriptures. If they can defame others enough, apparently, they think they will gain an exalted position and power. Often contempt for another person's race, nationality, speech and age are points on which they will focus their attack. Some in Corinth said of Paul that "his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible."
Base instinct is simply following animal-like characteristics in a desire to dominate a group of people. Animals have a tendency to "bite and devour one another" in order to take what the other one has, or control a pack of animals similar to it. False teachers are not attacking those who believe other false doctrines as much as those who are committed to the word of God and obediently following scriptural precepts. They want to defeat the counsels of God and take control over true Christians. They do not look upon the people of God as sheep in a flock for which they have been given the privilege to care for, but rather as those over who they can dominate. We must be on guard against the erroneous teaching of those who condone careless living by distorting the teaching of the word of God.
By being personally aware of what the word of God says, and by recognizing what God in grace has revealed to us of Himself, His Son and His will, we can stop the inroads of falsehood. Peter wrote that we should "Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Even though we cannot comprehend God because of our human limitations, we can understand the dangers of those who act with animal instincts.
When people have a real understanding that they have been made in the image of God for God's use, then they rise above base animal passions. The character of God is seen in those who belong to Him. Grace, mercy, faith and love are instinctive in the children of God. Respect for themselves, for their physical bodies, for the Bible and for other people is part of the nature of those who are in Christ. Those who only see themselves as animals as a part of God's creation, may behave like animals in seeking to satisfy the desires of fleshly instinct without any restraint. That animal instinct brings corruption and destruction upon themselves and a corrupting influence on society in general. Those who are of the flesh only, live a life of animal-like existence. Those who have been born again have a new nature given by God, that shows the character of God, and they want to please God.
To say what one knows is right, but to live differently is a contradiction. To seek to undermine another person's worth, is cause for deep suspicion. Why that is done may to us be unknown, but it leads to a division. To want a person out down and self exalted, is the logical conclusion.
To act like an animal and do animal-like things, is animal instinct. Even though humans clothe themselves, animal-like actions are not extinct. The unregenerate man or woman, are from the children of God - distinct. God is able to bring judgment or new life; in ways we would never think.
To be a child of God implies that no matter what others might say, It is my own personal privilege to represent my Lord in every way. There will be pressures applies by those who want me from faith's path often to stray. But those in whom the divine nature has been imparted, will not from the truth turn away.
"Father, it appears that more and more people are inclined to act, live and dress with animal-like intent. The purpose seems to be to attract the opposite sex for immoral reasons. Please give Thy people the moral courage to look, talk and conduct their lives in ways that best represent Thee and Thy family. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."