In completing the full armor of God, Paul writes “pray in the spirit (pneuma) at all times” (Ephesians 6:18). Elsewhere in 1 Corinthians 14:14, Paul equates praying in tongues (glossa – a spiritual gift aka pneumatikos) with praying in the spirit (pneuma).

To pray in the spirit (pneuma) is to pray with the breath (pneuma) of God. Where in 1 Corinthians 14:14 Paul says his mind is not fruitful (does not comprehend) when he prays in the spirit (pneuma), is confirmation of 1 Corinthians 2:14 where Paul writes natural (carnal) man can not receive (understand) the things of the spirit (pneuma) nor understand the mind (nous) of God. Thus Paul remedies the disparity between the spirit and his mind by praying in the spirit (pneuma) and also with his own natural mind (nous).

I’ve been pondering the nature of repentance, since with every election, Christians renew the call for America to repent. Asked to elaborate, most cite abortion and homosexuality as their primary complaints. War, divorce, removing prayer from schools, and pornography are also cited, though typically with less revulsion than is reserved for abortion and homosexuality.

How I wish I could claim I’ve never been caught up in one of Christianity’s campaigns to stamp out sin in the world. Frankly, the world has every right to sin; a right granted by the Father.

As it says in Revelation 22:11, “Let the one who does what is evil continue to do what is evil. Let the filthy person continue to be filthy. Let the righteous person continue to do what is right. And let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Every 4 years, the people elect a new president. Christians, Evangelicals in particular, look for their champion to be a kind of King David archetype – slayer of Goliaths, benevolent King, and worship leader. Then there’s the neo-Apostolic-Prophetic camp and their so-called words of “prophecy” proclaiming God’s “anointed” choice – always a Republican – who will help stem the tide of sin, usher in revival and restore America to its constitutional and (ahem) Biblical roots. Often such “prophecies” carry with them a broad call for America to repent, for which “prayer warriors” and “intercessors” labor in prayer, while hedonistic Americans go right on living as if there were no God at all.

As often as we’ve managed to elect a King Saul rather than a King David, I see little point in voting for a man to rule over the people. Since 1976 when I first voted, every president has disappointed insofar as bringing peace and advancing the Kingdom of God is concerned. And yet every 4 years, regardless how poor the choices, Christians clamor to vote, admonishing one another to ignore the character of the candidate and vote the issues or party platform, all the while claiming it’s a Christian’s civic duty to vote. Frankly, I bristle at the notion that choosing between the “lesser of 2 evils” is my civic duty.

In the episode “Rebuilding the fallen tabernacle of David”, I said “Hirelings have a habit of interpreting spiritual things physically and literally to profit the flesh (1 Cor. 2:14).” A sad testament to man’s spiritual ignorance borne out by countless church buildings that squander resources, while people go hungry and ill-prepared to take the gospel to the nations. The flesh builds with brick and mortar, Christ builds His church with people. The one runs on money and sweat, the other by the Spirit and faith.

What hope do we, as physical and literal beings have for ever understanding the things of God about whom Jesus said “God is spirit” (John 4:24 ESV).

Even when Jesus explained the hidden spiritual meanings of His parables, did the disciples understand them? Or does Jesus look at them in stunned amazement after teaching them for 2 years and groan “are you still so dull” (Matthew 15:16)?