Spirit of Religion
2 Timothy 3:5 states, “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” This scripture is first telling us, that there are some that basically appear to be holy, yet they are not. They do everything that is expected of them before men, yet still deny the real power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of exalting the Holy Spirit, they instead quench it. Then the scripture goes on to say to turn away from them…Have no part of fellowship with them. I believe this scriptures personifies the religious spirit. A show before man to be righteous, and to uphold the commands of the Lord, yet denying everything that is of Him.
A persons true character is not what we do before men…but what we do in secret. How are we really living when there is no audience? Are we spending quality time with God, or are we putting everything else before Him? Have we taken on idols in secret, yet only in the open we worship and praise the one true living God? This behavior is likened to the scribes and Pharisees of whom is spoken of in Matthew 23:1-7“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.”
A religious spirit quenches the Holy Spirit. It does not want the oracles of God to be spoken… It will do everything it can to silence the true prophets of God. It’s agenda is to assist in the falling away (Thessalonians 2:3), and it feeds itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3), it is bias and shows respect of persons. It fights against everything that represents righteousness and holiness. These are some of the things which also point to the fact that we are living in the end times, for many of this we do see. And please do not be deceived by this spirit, for it is also written that even the very elect will be deceived (Matthew 24:24). So how do we guard ourselves against falling victim to this spirit, that seems godly, yet denies the power of Jehovah. By prayer and supplication, by putting on the armor of God daily..by studying and showing ourselves approved to God, by being able to rightly divide His Word; this is how we guard ourselves against this spirit…Be on guard always…
Lord I pray that your children be not deceived in this hour by a religious spirit. Let us remain in prayer always, and put on the armor of God, wherewith no weapons formed against us shall prosper and that we shall live to declare thy name unto our brothers and sisters in Jesus name, amen.
Set Apart 