I tried to start a post in regard to a "religious" spirit last night but apparently even without a complete url link I couldn't post a dictionary definition for the word "religion". Having lost the rest of the information there; I will just briefly comment that James 1:27 gives the Biblical definition of demonstrating true religion by helping orphans and widows. I had some other concepts but I'll leave it at that.
Basically we can't entirely dismiss religion as defined being worship of a deity with certain rituals when we are indeed called to have a certain church hierarchy structured of deacons; elders and bishops but we also don't make it the end all where men and their positions are worshipped lest we allow error to creep in because we hold them to a double standard from the average layperson. My other idea was in terms of worship and I used the concept of the Syrophonecian woman asking for her daughter to be delivered of a demon showing her understanding of Jesus as Messiah; contrasted by many others who didn't acknowledge this fact as only the Father can reveal it to us ( Matt. 11:27 and many other like verses).
When it comes to Satan he doesn't hide his light but his light is one of deception. Men through their sin nature usually aren't knowingly worshipping him; a few do but even of them there would be less if he showed his true nature and intention to destroy men. A "religious" spirit represents the version of Christ that assures one of acceptance with a works based mentality. It is what I call the narrowest way you can follow the broad road to destruction; or perhaps more simply the Pharisee in people today. And of course it can be found in all kinds of different flavors; with different religions each having their own nuances.
Playing church; of course no doubt gives the enemy and his minions great glee as desecrating any true house of worship causes the greatest collateral damage.
Basically we can't entirely dismiss religion as defined being worship of a deity with certain rituals when we are indeed called to have a certain church hierarchy structured of deacons; elders and bishops but we also don't make it the end all where men and their positions are worshipped lest we allow error to creep in because we hold them to a double standard from the average layperson. My other idea was in terms of worship and I used the concept of the Syrophonecian woman asking for her daughter to be delivered of a demon showing her understanding of Jesus as Messiah; contrasted by many others who didn't acknowledge this fact as only the Father can reveal it to us ( Matt. 11:27 and many other like verses).
When it comes to Satan he doesn't hide his light but his light is one of deception. Men through their sin nature usually aren't knowingly worshipping him; a few do but even of them there would be less if he showed his true nature and intention to destroy men. A "religious" spirit represents the version of Christ that assures one of acceptance with a works based mentality. It is what I call the narrowest way you can follow the broad road to destruction; or perhaps more simply the Pharisee in people today. And of course it can be found in all kinds of different flavors; with different religions each having their own nuances.
Playing church; of course no doubt gives the enemy and his minions great glee as desecrating any true house of worship causes the greatest collateral damage.
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