“These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds…” (Jude 12).

In July I held a Gospel Meeting in Seminole, TX. That area was under a severe drought. Citizens are forbidden from washing their cars or filling swimming pools and can only water their lawns on certain days. Restaurants are not allowed to give customers a glass of water without the customer specifically asking for one.

As we drove into Seminole on Thursday evening, dark storm clouds were moving into the area from the west. Lightening was flashing, the wind was blowing, but no rain fell. Dark clouds appeared the following evening, but again failed to produce any much-needed rain. The residents of that area have learned to deal with such disappointments.

Jude used this illustration to describe false teachers who were troubling the church during his day. They were “clouds without water.” These teachers brought the hope of spiritual instruction and strength to the church, but after they had passed through, the church was still without proper instruction and was, in fact, the worse for their visit. These teachers portrayed themselves as servants of the church, but they were only serving themselves. Such abuse could easily make the church skeptical of future teachers who would come their way.

We naturally expect to receive spiritual instruction when we pick up a religious book or paper, listen to an online sermon or podcast, or travel to attend a gospel meeting. Unfortunately, some teachers fail to deliver on our expectations. Some books and articles that brethren have recommended to me have very little spiritual value. A constant and exclusive diet of such would render the reader spiritually malnourished. The same can be said for some of what passes for “gospel preaching” today. Some men are noted for being good speakers, but one can walk away from hearing their speeches no better off spiritually than they were before.

We need to be careful of where we turn for spiritual instruction. Not every cloud gives rain.