“Having Not the Spirit”

Jude 19 KJV

[19] “These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”

     In this verse, Jude gives us three marks of these mockers who will appear in the last days. He first says that they will separate themselves. That does not mean they will separate from the world or unbelief as Christians do, but they will separate from true and consecrated Christians. He also marks them by saying that they are sensual. That means that they satisfy their senses by having no moral restrictions. They do whatever will please them and justify their ungodly deeds.

     In the last mark given, Jude sums up these apostates as a whole when he says they have not the Spirit. If you have ever wondered how some people can walk away from God and live as wickedly as before, Jude gives us the answer. When people mock the things of God and make light of sacred things with no shame or chastisement, then you can be sure they have not the Spirit.

     We live in a day when men who claim to be preachers mock the real men of God. Some might even wonder how they can get by with this kind of mocking. A truly saved person will not get by with it but will suffer chastisement for his behavior. However, if a person can continue through life and face no consequences, you can mark it down that they have not the Spirit. They will one day be held accountable for their wicked mockery at the judgment seat.

     Dear friend, do not be deceived by those who claim Christianity but despise holiness and consecration. Do not follow this contemporary movement that teaches you can live worldly and still live victoriously. They may know the words but never experience the power because they have not the Spirit. What a blessing to have been around many real Christians who have been great examples of Christian living. Their lives have taught us to walk humbly and reverently before our God. We should never take His Word or His will lightly. Those with the Spirit of God living inside them know that He is the most sensitive Person they will ever meet. He speaks to us when we do wrong, and He encourages us to live a more holy life for the glory of God. The question for each of us is this, “Do you have the Spirit of God living within you?”