These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (Jude 19)
Read Jude 16-19 and notice the words “having not the Spirit.” 1 John 4:1 tells us that we are to “try the spirits.” The word spirits used here is plural. There are many spirits in this world, but there is only one Holy Spirit.
At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer forever. When God looks at the hearts of these apostates, they do not have the Holy Spirit.
Read carefully again Jude 16. The Bible says these apostates murmur, complain, and mock at the truth “having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” This means that they are not motivated by truth, but rather by the approval of men.
We should not say what we say because we think it will please people. We should say what we say because we know that preaching and teaching the truth pleases God!
God concludes with this group before He turns our attention to those who know and love Him. He lists three definite things about these apostates in verse nineteen.
They Separate Themselves
This crowd says that we separate ourselves, but the Bible says, “These be they who separate themselves.” In life, we see those who “separate themselves” from us by their doctrine and deeds.
Many people, because of their convictions to remain true to God’s Word, have left mainline denomination groups that are filled with those who do not believe the Bible. In reality, those who have changed their position on the Bible are the ones who have “separated,” not the ones who left the denomination. We should be determined to stay with the Bible and never waver.
They Are Sensual
The word sensual has to do with things that are natural. It means living life not by faith but by the natural senses.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him.” Notice that the “natural man” does not receive spiritual things and notice his response to them: “…they are foolishness unto him.”
The Bible says these apostates are “sensual.”
They Have Not the Spirit
God describes these apostates as “having not the Spirit.” They have never been born again. All of their behavior comes to pass because they have not the Spirit.
It is shocking to think of how many lost people identify with churches and religion. John the Baptist spoke to a religious group in Matthew 3:2-7. We need more preachers today like John the Baptist who are not afraid to preach the truth.
The Bible says that these apostates separate themselves, are sensual, and have not the Holy Spirit. But what about those of us who know the Lord? Our separation should be from the world and unto the Lord. Our lives should not be marked by sensual living but by faith in God. Because the Holy Spirit indwells us, we should seek the Holy Spirit’s fullness and be bold for Jesus Christ. So many people are spiritually hungry, but so few Christians are willing to do anything to change it.
Background Reading for Next Week: Jude 20-21; Isaiah 5:20-21; Matthew 5:13; John 17:11-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Acts 20:17-32; John 14:13; 1 John 1:5-7; Luke 12:40