A little bit of the Religious Spirit

the Big Picture: People prefer pleasure to Truth and Wisdom.

As I put into writing this, it makes me wonder will I terk anyone off?  I am not here to do that, just simply share with you.

This is what we are learning and want the world to know it as well from http://www.akwellspring.com/ and The Wellspring Ministry Book


The Religious Spirit

Ephesians 4:27 says, "Neither give place to the devil." The word "place" means a right to us or a room in us.  Paul said in Romans 7:17, "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."  It is our responsibility not to give place to the devil. But I want to carefully point out that we are talking about the evil spirits and the nature of Satan, no people.  We as people choose to sin, we choose to allow Satan to act out his nature through us but we are not evil. Satan is evil.  As humans we were created in the image of God, not Satan.

Character of the Religious Spirit

    It wants to hold people in one place, tied to traditions of men. It wants to tie us to the rules and traditions of a church or religious practice.  It wants us to hold on to "something" rather than trusting and holding on to God. 
  
We can become very comfortable with the traditions of men.  We can feel good in doing a certain ritual.  The things that we are "used to" and have "always known" and have "always done" can provide a false security.  Our trust is to be in our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ and not in how we have always done it.
   
In Matthew 17, Peter saw Jesus talking to Moses and Elias and than wanted to build three tabernacles in their honor.  As men we want to build things instead of seeking the deep spiritual truths that were being revealed and enjoy the relationship with God.
   
The spirit wants us to be afreaid of what is new or different from our experience or worldview. Everyone is affected by this spirit in some way regardless of where we are on the religious spectrum.  Every denomination and every church develops its own traditions and ways of doing things.  Every church in doing this runs the risk of traditions ahead of God.  This is called idolatry.
   
 The religious spirit desires to make our relationship with God one of obligation and duty instead of passion.  Religion can be used to control.  If we do what we are told to do and go through the external motions of the church then we will be okay.  The outward appearance become all that matter, not what is on the inside.  Sometimes we like being told what do do because there is a level of safety and security.  We pray because we are told that we are suppose to pray.  We go to meetings because we are suppose to go to meetings.  We feel like we are right with God because we have done what was required.

   The religious spirit focuses on the letter of the law.  When we become focused on the letter of the law - love, unity, peace, kindness and charity disappear.  All that matter is filling the block and completing the requirement.  The joy in a person's healing, miracle or blessing is gone. Instead we focus on "did they violate scripture?" "God doesn't work that way." "This can't be of God, He didn't do it for me." "I have never experienced it so it cannot be of God." The letter of the law kills, but the spirit brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6)

There is so much more, but the revival is on line in a little bit and we are watching miracles happen.  Lives are changed, time is set aside to worship Jesus, truly worship Him.  People lifting their voices to Him, it's not always about the music - although that is a wonderful blessing but it is about Him and our hearts. 

Here's the link to get to the http://www.bayrevival.com/
Bay Revival in Mobile Alabama

There is no denomination present here, it is simply Jesus!  Jesus! 

If you can't see it live, check out the archives.  Church of His Presence (CHP) also archived their services are here. 


 

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