“ ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of The Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” Jude 1:18b-21
Jude reminds us that there have always been those that have been driven by a spirit of destruction, rather than The Spirit of construction. They sometimes undermine the foundation of the church, from within the fellowship. Others, “devoid of The Spirit,” stand on the outside and mock everything the church holds dear.
The Holy Spirit meets the prayer warrior at the junction of destruction and construction. Those who yield to His sense of direction will build their lives upon the firm foundation of “praying in the Holy Spirit.” In doing so, they keep falling in love with God, and they avoid hating those who don’t.
“Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again.” Vance Havner
Mocking describes a childish tendency to trifle with a parent’s instruction and correction. Perhaps there is nothing more annoying than a child repeating everything said to them with mocking disrespectful words, and a derisive attitude. It is childish, and immature. Most children grow out of it. When it becomes a way of life, there is little hope for them or the parent.
In these last days, it is impossible to avoid people who are driven by a world-view that is “devoid of The Spirit.” Their perspective on life comes from peering through their own cracked lens, and failing to correct their vision with the word of God. They end up calling wrong right, and right wrong, redefining or inventing words to support their personal preferences, priorities and prejudices.
Those who are “devoid of The Spirit” bring derision into our lives or division into the church. They cannot be ignored, but arguing with them never seems to rid our lives of them.
Evil isn’t interested in framing the debate. Evil is intent on the removal of dissent. It isn’t searching for truth, but seeking to destroy it. Talking to someone who is “devoid of The Spirit” rarely convinces them of their need for a breath of fresh air. It seems to put fresh life into them, and rob prayer warriors of the breath of life within them.
“The only thing required for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing. “
Edmund Burke
The alternative to debating evil is “praying in the Holy Spirit.” This is not an appeasing, or appealing devotional exercise, but an aggressive military strategy. “Praying in The Holy Spirit” outflanks the mocking, divisive, derisive attacks of an ancient and relentless enemy. Prayer warriors must remember this.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
The message is clear. People may be the hand puppets of the enemy, but treating them as the enemy is a strategic mistake, and leads to epic failure in spiritual warfare. Praying in the Spirit is the only winning strategy. Arguing with people who do not speak the same language is not.
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:18
“Praying in The Holy Spirit” keeps you in love with God and provides the patience to wait on God’s mercy. “Praying in The Holy Spirit” softens your heart and your rhetoric, transforming your heart’s desire for mercy to be poured out on those who hurt you, rather than demanding justice be brought down on them. No words can discribe “praying in The Holy Spirit” like the simple prayer of Jesus. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
NOTE TO SELF: It is harder to hate someone for whom you are praying. It is not impossible, just hard. When you are being mocked, and all that you hold sacred is being defamed, hating someone will never be a winning strategy. Debating those “devoid of the Spirit” is not the path to victory. Praying for them is. You will never be more like Jesus, and more in love with The Father than when you are praying for God’s best over those who are doing their worst to you. “Praying in the Holy Spirit” takes up the mantle of mercy and leaves the matter of justice in God’s hands. “Praying in The Holy Spirit” leads to a Ph.D. in The School of Prayer. (Pray Hard Daily) TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!