Jude 8 “Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.” Jude is referring to those that are in the church, but aren’t behaving like christians. Jude describes them as indulgent, disobediant and disrespectful. These are indulgent. He precedes this passage by talking about the inhabitants of Sodom. He says, “these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” We know that they were atleast having same sex relationships. We also know that they were attempting to rape the angelic visitors. Romans 1:25-27 says, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” When we reject God and His truth, we are given over to strange passions and strange paths. The holy hedge is lifted. Those involved love it. In today’s passage it says, “these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh.” They were fulfilling their fantasies. They were desiring things years before they would swear they would never want. We need to be careful with our thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We don’t judge thoughts by how fun they are or how much pleasure they will bring us. What are we to reflect upon? Philipians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” The people in today’s passage were rebellious. They wouldn’t be told what to think. In the process they saw themselves as completely free. They didn’t understand that by rejecting God, they were becoming enslaved. Rejecting authority was Jude’s second charge against them. We all have a measure of rebellion. It may manifest itself in acceptable ways, but we struggle with doing what we want verses submitting to Christ. This was part of the original sin. We need to submit our desires to Christ. He will purify them or eliminate them. This can be difficult, because we have a certain amount of desire attached. As we submit to Him, those strong wants usually diminish and sometimes disappear. Jude’s last charge against them is that they were disrespectful. They would “revile angelic majesties”. Jude gives an example in verse nine as to how even Michael, the archangel, wouldn’t personally speak against the devil, but said, “the Lord rebuke you”. These reviled those in heaven. Clearly done in ignorance. They are like bugs who could be squashed in a moment. God’s mercy prevents that from happening. Respect begins small. Obeying and not talking back to parents and authorities directly around us. It works it’s way up to fearing God and those much more powerful. Lord, keep us close to You. Keep us within Your hedge of protection. Help us to stay in Your Word and in Your Ways.