But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

Jude 1:20-21 (NLT)

The Apostle Jude wrote to encourage the believers who were facing difficulty within their community due to false teachers and their destructive influence. Knowing that they are prone to errors and false teachings that may mislead them, he advised them to hold fast to their faith and battle for the truth.

We cannot compromise on the truth of the gospel with ideas or actions that undermine the finished work of Christ. This is necessary. Paul warned us in Galatians not to add anything to the gospel because doing so would take away from our freedom in Christ. The gospel is truly the one thing on which we as Christians stand or fall, even though we may not agree on many doctrinal matters.

It is best to equip and empower ourselves and others with a good working understanding of the Bible in order to stand against false teachings and persuasions. We cannot solely rely on preachers and teachers to instruct us in God's Word. Regardless of how well-intended and sincere their teachings may be, we still have a personal responsibility to encounter God in His Word.

Know God's Word for yourself.

Setting up a personal Bible study schedule and taking part in a Bible study group are both valuable. You'll get the chance to have deep and meaningful conversations with other believers in addition to having the means to grow spiritually. As we gain a deeper understanding of the Bible ourselves, we become more firmly entrenched and established in our relationship with God. By supporting one another's faith and inspiring one another to live out our righteousness in Christ, we build a stronger and more caring community.