Which things have indeed a show of wisdom, in voluntary religion and humbleness of mind, and in not sparing the body, which are things of no value, since they pertain to the filling of the flesh. Colossians 2:17
Of all the spirits and principalities Satan can unleash, in my opinion, the religious spirit is the most difficult to deal with. The religious spirit is self-righteous and is rooted in pride. If you are a member of the institutional church, I’ll come right out and say it: You have a religious spirit. The institutional church is juxtapose to the Spirit of God. It is ruled by the natural and the man-made beliefs and acts men and women deem falsely as spiritual, but in reality are based in the law.
Any mandated act, behavior, or the use of an object based on what we do, and the spiritual attributes attached to it, emanates from the law. And these acts, behaviors, the revering of men and women in appointed positions, including the revering of religious objects and church buildings are all idolatry. If you are a “churchgoer” and if you could hear the Spirit of God, you would be on your knees repenting for participating in this man-made, idolatrous system. You would know beyond any doubt there is only One Church – the Body of Christ (His Ecclessia). Church is not the organizations, buildings, and laws men have created – the Church is who we are in Christ. The guilt of not adhering to these works of the law comes from Satan – not Jesus Christ.
The law did not just exist in the Old Covenant – it is alive and well today. Today, we have are own man-made laws keeping with the traditions of Jewish leadership, but calling it “church” instead. We have replaced the Jewish synagogues which operate under the law with our man-made “churches” that operate under the law. Our new “laws” are diabolical to the words Jesus spoke and sets itself in opposition to the grace and freedom He sacrificed for us. A believer with a religious spirit does not realize the man-made church system is of the anti-Christ. He or she can not recognize it – because he or she is a part of it. We will lose many of you on that one – but it is the truth.
“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! Matthew 10:24-25
Believers with a religious spirit have been taught attending “church,” financially supporting it, and participating in “church” activities is what God desires from them. You will often hear “churchgoers” make statements like, “Go to “church” or “How was “church?” Churchgoers fail to understand that “church” is not a place you go to, or something you do – it is who we are in Christ. Even worse, they equate having a relationship with a “church” as being the same as having a relationship with Jesus Christ. They are without excuse, because not only God has given us His Word, but those who abide in Him – hear His voice. Believers with a religious spirit do not have the ability to discern the truth. The religious spirit drowns out the voice of the Holy Spirit, as it takes residence in the believer’s heart. Laws and customs simply replace the truth in God’s Word.
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:26-27
Do God expects us to be able to distinguish between the religious spirit and the Spirit of God? You better believe He does.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Matthew 23:13
Let’s look at some of the characteristics of a believer with a religious spirit:
*A believer with a religious spirit never – or rarely question their “church” leaders.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; For many false prophets have gone out everywhere.” 1 John 4:1
*A believer with a religious spirit revere men or women with titles of preeminence over other believers.
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for only one is your Teacher and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your ‘Father’, for only one is your Father and He is in Heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘Master’, for only one is your Master, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:8-10).
*The believer led by the Spirit of God puts his or her faith in the Holy Spirit. He or she does not look to men for the answers, but instead look to God’s Word.
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Acts 17:11
*A believer with a religious spirit is afraid to look into anything that might challenge his or her beliefs. Anything that goes against the truth in the Word of God is based in unrighteousness.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
*A believer with a religious spirit takes great pride in being a churchgoer, and secretly desires to be seen by men.
For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15
*A believer with a religious spirit believes a “church building” is required to worship God properly.
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. Acts 17:24
*A believer with a religious spirit elevate what men have said over the truth in God’s Word.
For the time will come when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but having their ears itching, shall after their own lusts get them an heap of teachers, And shall turn their ears from the truth, and shall be given unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
*A believer with a religious spirit likes for others to see him or her dressed up in “church” attire and inwardly seek the accolades of being labeled a good Christian.
People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts. 1 1Samuel 16:7
*A believer with a religious spirit frequently speak in superficial “Christianese” babble, often inserting Scriptures into conversations to demonstrate their “spiritual prowess” to others. (What’s key here is motive – the need to be perceived by others as being a spiritual or a good Christian). There is nothing wrong speaking about Jesus Christ if it is based in true genuineness without fleshly motives, such as trying to impress other believers, or seeking their approval.
Now I beseech you brethren, mark them diligently which cause division and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own bellies, and with fair speech and flattering deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17-18
*A believer with a religious spirit refuses to examine his or herself for sin, and their idolatrous relationship with man-made institutions.
Making the word of God of none authority, by your tradition which ye have ordained: and ye do many such like things. Mark 7:13
*A believer with a religious spirit takes pride in what they do, for instance; going to “church,” and the activities they participate in at their “church organizations.” In other words, they walk in the flesh by engaging in man-made activities, but call it Spirit. For example, printing brochures, leading Sunday School, participating in the clothing ministry, organizing the retreat, dressing up for “church,” planning seminars, tithing, shopping for new pews, running vacation Bible School, organizing the children’s play, etc.
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by man. Matthew 15:8-9
*A believer with a religious spirit enjoys the idea of someone having authority over him or her, by falsely assuming it lets one off the hook for his or her relationship with God. I know this verse has been previously cited in this article, but we must reiterate it is the believer’s responsibility for their walk with Jesus Christ.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Matthew 23:13
*A believer with a religious spirit boast and takes pride in following his or her pastor or priest.
For when one saith, I am Paul’s, and another, I am Apollos’s, are ye not carnal? Who is Paul then? and who is Apollos, but the ministers by whom ye believed, and as the Lord gave to every man? 1 Corinthians 3:4-5
*A believer with a religious spirit does not have the ability to discern in the spirit, but makes decisions based on the religious doctrines and the teachings of man.
“Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually examined. But he that is spiritual examines all things, and he himself is examined of no man.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-15
*A believer with a religious spirit check his or her brain in at the “church” door before proceeding, and allows the men or women preaching inside to fill it up with whatever they desire.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8
*A believer with a religious spirit idolize and revere those who are in “church leadership.”
Beware of false prophets , who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15
*A believer with a religious spirit has a strong desire that others perceive he or she as being a spiritual Christian, and will talk and engage in behaviors in an effort to get the approval of others.
And when thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the Synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, because they would be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:5
*A believer with a religious spirit thinks that a “church building” holds a special power or anointing, and that God is somehow more prevalent inside its’ walls built by human hands than outside.
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Acts 7:49
*Believer with a religious spirit does not like to think for themselves – instead they prefer someone deemed in power do it for them.
Now we have receiveth not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit, which is of God, that we might know the things that are given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12
*Believers with a religious spirit likes to elevate themselves over others by perceiving those around them as being less spiritual.
Where is the wise?…Does not God make stupid the wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:20
*A believer with a religious spirit is very knowledgeable about church dogma and customs, but does not truly know the heart of Jesus.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
*A believer with a religious spirit look to and place his or her faithfulness to their church first – and than subsequently to Jesus Christ.
Know that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we, I say, have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, because that by the works of the Law, no flesh shall be justified. Galations 2:16
*A believer with a religious spirit is afraid and not confident in the truth if it is not based in the laws of man.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
Believers with a religious spirit surrenders their relationship and Lordship of Jesus Christ to their pastor or priest in order for them to mediate their relationship with God.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5
*Believers with a religious spirit believe their pastor or priest has a protective, spiritual covering over them, which is not only false, but is a concept based in mysticism with no spiritual basis.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in destructive, untrue teachings, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their destructive ways; by reason of whom the way of truth will be defamed.2 Peter 2:1-2
*A believer with a religious spirit believes going to church is a sign of being a Christian.
Which things have indeed a show of wisdom, in voluntary religion and humbleness of mind, and in not sparing the body, which are things of no value, since they pertain to the filling of the flesh. Colossians 2:23
*A believer with a religious spirit allows men to exercise their authority over him or her, that belongs to Jesus and Him alone.
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles are lords over them, and those who are great exercise authority (or are tyrants) over them. Yet It will not be so among you. Matthew 20:25-26
It is time for you to make a choice: continue to be led and held captive by a religious spirit, or chose to be led by the Spirit of God.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth: for the Father requireth even such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. Matt 24:23-24