DAY 27: RELIGION III (RELIGIOUS SPIRIT)

PHRONESIS DEVOTIONAL

30 DAYS DEVOTIONAL WITH PREACHER SAM

September 27, 2023.

Topic: RELIGION III (RELIGIOUS SPIRIT)

Bible Reading: Revelation 2:1-7

Verse for Meditation: Revelation 2:4 NKJV

Nevertheless have this against you, that you have left your first love.

God’s initial plan for the church of Jesus was not denomination but unification. When you study a bit on church history you will discover that the major reason for such denomination is as a result of a subjective interpretation of the whole truth in the Bible. For example, the teaching of the election of grace has become a theological debate between the followers of John Calvin and the followers of Jacobus Arminius. The reason for such theological debate is because the whole truth in the Bible has not been properly interpreted objectively and in context.

Yet we thank God for what He’s doing in our churches and that all the church believe in one gospel- Christ’s crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. At least that is what matters a lot.

These various denominations have their own practices called ordinances; which are rules and rituals laid down to aid proper administration in the church. Now that sounds “religious”, but practically speaking, the aiding of proper administration is for a better corporate fellowship. But when those ordinances become doctrines, they become religion.

The Bible is very careful with the use of words. The term, “doctrine” is used for Christ’s doctrine (E.g.: Jn. 7:16-17; 18:19; Acts 2:42; 1Tim. 4:6; 6:1, 3; Heb. 6:1-2; 2Jn. 1:9). And the term, “doctrines” is used for man’s doctrine or demonic doctrine (E.g.: Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:22; 1Tim. 4:1; Heb. 13:9). Some exceptions were the Pharisees’ doctrine (Matt. 16:12), the Balaam’s doctrine (Rev. 2:14) and Nicoliatan’s doctrine (Rev. 2:15). And the reason for such is because they were individuals’ doctrine, hence, can be put under the category of “doctrines of men.” We only have one doctrine (Eph. 4:5), yet many principles (Heb. 6:1 KJV). Apostle Paul was surprised at the church in Galatia of how they had suddenly become so religious because they had encouraged strange doctrines (Gal. 1:6-11). Beware of doctrines that encourage religiosity.

Now as believers, you can be in church for donkey’s years without you knowing that you are actually practising religion. So here are seven ways for you to identify a religious spirit;

Eye service; the Pharisees are a typical case study. If you can agree with me that those guys were not just religious, but they are also hypocritical, then you should also agree with me that hypocrisy is religion.

Being obsessed with what others are doing; the Pharisees were always like that during the earthly ministry of Jesus. Let me make this more vivid, have you seen people always observing other believers or even pastors to spot out for some flaws and have something to judge them about? That is a manifestation of a religious spirit.

Resisting corrections; when Jesus was pointing out the mistakes of the Pharisees, they didn’t yield. You may think that ‘grace believers’ are not religious, but actually many of them are when they fail to yield to correction, saying, “Grace covers it all!”

Absence of growth in your spiritual life; if all your church activities do not translate to your spiritual growth, then those church activities is just religious activities.

Having convictions without spiritual backing; for example, the doctrines of men that have no spiritual root in the Bible. To establish doctrine, there must be corroboration (Matt. 18:16; 2Cor. 13:1), and must be viewed with the lens of Christ (Heb. 1:1-3). For instance, dress codes are not a doctrine, but can be regarded to as an ordinance because the Bible encourages modesty (1 Cor. 14:40; 1Tim. 2:9).

Pride; like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable (Lk. 18:9-14). We are saved by grace and not by our works (Eph. 2:8-9), and we all are being helped by God (Jud. 1:24). So having confidence in ourselves is nothing but pride and religion.

And finally wickedness; an expert in religious law came to tempt Jesus with a question about eternal life and who a neighbour is, and Jesus answered Him from the commandment, and told him a parable of the ‘Good Samaritan.’ That parable exposed how wicked religion can be (Lk. 10:25-37). All in the name of religion, many have despised their neighbour even in a church gathering! This has to stop.

PRAYER:

SWEET HOLY SPIRIT, PLEASE EXPOSE EVERY RELIGIOUS SPIRIT IN ME AND SAVE ME FROM IT. AMEN.

DECLARATION:

MY DEVOTION TO GOD WILL NOT BE MIXED WITH RELIGION, BUT WITH FAITH.

Bible Reading Plan: Colossians 2; 1 John 2; Proverbs 28