Railing Accusations

[Jude 1:9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
[10] 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.
Jude quotes an apocryphal book existing in his time, containing this account, "the Assumption of Moses”. That book is now lost. There is still extant a book in Hebrew, called "the Death of Moses." Jude was making statements to others about them, and showing that they manifested a spirit entirely different from that which the angels evinced even when contending in a just cause against the prince of all evil.
Michael, though provoked by the opposition of the worst being in the universe, still restrained himself from any out breaking of passion, and used only the language of mild but firm rebuke. Durst not - "Did not dare."
A railing accusation, the Greek word is blasphemy. The meaning is, he did not indulge in the language of mere reproach; and it is implied here that such language would be wrong anywhere. If it would be right to bring a railing accusation against any one, it would be against the devil.
But said, The L-rd rebuke thee - The word here used means, properly, to put honor upon; and then to adjudge or confirm. Then it came to be used in the sense of commanding or restraining. He was stating a fact, not mixing words.
In the midst of this rally cry to the armies of the L-rd, Jude takes time to remind us of how we should respond to our enemy. Michael the archangel was disputing with Satan about the body of Moses. Michael no doubt had been witness to some of the greatest battles in the history of spiritual warfare. He was there when Lucifer was kicked out of Heaven. He saw the fall of Adam and Eve. Perhaps he was there when G-d told the serpent that he was cursed. Yet Michael did not rail against the devil. He did not call him names. He did not ridicule. He made no accusations. He simply said the L-rd rebuke you. What an example he gives to believers in the church. It is foolish for us to shout at the enemy, or to sing silly songs about him, or call him names. We are deceiving ourselves when we belittle him. One of the most important aspects of warfare is to know your enemy. When we speak of Satan as having no power or intelligence we leave ourselves open to attack and deception.
In a military connotation (being in the army of G-d) we are reporting to our commanding officer. He gives us orders for resistance, and as we follow His orders we see the enemy fleeing from us. G-d made man subject to vanity, or frustration. We may battle with all our might against the enemy and make no progress. We use all our intellect, our wisdom, our formulas, and our strategies. Still the enemy comes again and again, and we continue to struggle. But doesn’t the Word tell us that He made the way so plain that a wayfaring man though a fool need not err therein? The scripture says to submit yourself therefore unto G-d we must recognize that we are subject to, He is our commanding officer.
How will we resist the enemy? First we must go on the offense. Take a strong stand against sin in your personal life, in your home and family, in the church, in the community, and in our nation. The gates of Hell will not prevail against the body of the Living G-d. There are great victories to be won, but we must say like Caleb, "Give me this mountain". We must be prepared to take enemy territory. There will be casualties. When the battle is hot and fierce, then we draw nigh to G-d. Stay close enough to hear His whisper, to feel His breath. David said, "In the covert of Thy wings will I trust." The covert feathers are the downy feathers that cover the ends of the quills of the wing feathers.
Do not be one who stands and railing accusation at another that is childish! Then running to and fro to make sure everyone knows what transpired. You are to be a soldier in G-d’s army not in the world’s way.
James gives us further instruction for preparing ourselves for battle. He tells us to cleanse our hands and our hearts. This is a reference to righteousness, the works of our hands, and holiness, the condition of our heart. Be afflicted and distressed at the sin around you. Endure hardship as a good soldier. Keep yourself unspotted from the world. Lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets you. Then James gives profound words of wisdom. "Humble yourself in the sight of the L-rd, and He shall lift you up." True humility is recognizing that G-d is seeing the L-rd high and lifted up. It is absolute surrender to His will and purpose. It is trusting Him regardless what comes your way. He will promote you in due season.
The devil is capable of many forms of attack, but he works primarily through those who have given themselves over to ungodliness. "But these speak evil of those things which they know not". Remember we are earnestly contending for the faith. Jude is speaking of people who have come into the church. They justify their evil ways by condemning the righteous. You can hear them singing, "I did it my way." Beware of people who are governed by emotion, opinion, and worldly standards. We must understand that there is a time for witnessing, a time to defend the faith, and a time to stop, lest we be guilty of casting our pearls before swine.
How do people determine what is right and wrong if they are not following the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He opens to them the Word of G-d? They revert to animal appetites and their own carnal nature. They are corrupted and they have corrupted themselves. They listen to voices and make choices. They hear the Word. You have witnessed to them. But they also hear advertisements, see the example of entertainers and other worldly influences; they associate with other people without spiritual guidance. Eventually they develop passions and lusts that become the controlling forces in their lives.
Do not be railing accusation, remember who your Commander is.