The Perils of Religion

When I got saved in 1983, I’ll never forget beginning my church experience and having a little envy of Christians who had grown up in the church. It seemed I had missed so much, and they had it so together. I remember feeling like such a novice for so long, as I attempted to blend in with these seemingly spiritual giants.

It was about 11 years later as I began to walk in my own spiritual anointing that I became aware of religious spirits, and the threat they were to Christians – especially those who operated more in the power of the anointing. Shocked at the things I encountered, I didn’t really understand what was happening until I became acquainted with the religious leaders and their confrontations with Jesus during his ministry.

I think what surprises me even more is how so many believers have not yet connect those dots between the activities of religious spirits, and some of the spiritual conflicts in the body of Christ today. It is probably true that many of our church leaders today – not all, but many are people who grew up in the church and were exposed to many religious traditions that we no longer adhere to today, such as women wearing makeup and pants. We don’t think much about these things today, but these were religious rules much like the traditions the Pharisees prioritized over the commandments of God.

In 1 Timothy 2:2, the Apostle Paul urged Timothy to encourage prayers and intercessions for leaders and those in authority, and how these prayers will have a positive effect on the lives of believers. If people of God are not aware of religious spirits and how they affect the lives of our leaders — as well as other believers – then we are leaving these leaders unprotected and probably undelivered. Remember, these are the very spirits that killed Jesus and thought they were doing something good for the world.

I firmly believe it is imperative that all of us recognize the presence of these spirits in ourselves as well as in others, not to beat ourselves up or criticize; but to intercede for the welfare of the Church. To do this, we must understand how religious spirits manifest today so that when they do show up, we recognize them and know how to pray. If it is someone in a position of power, intercession is even more crucial because their decisions will affect many in the body.

How do we recognize these spirits? By looking at the religious leaders in the scriptures.

First and foremost, the Pharisees were excessively proud of their religious heritage. They saw themselves as the true seed of Abraham. Pride prevented them from recognizing Jesus despite the miracles and abundant references to him in the Old Testament. He was not one of them, so they would not accept him. This is one reason God hates pride; it blinds people and creates biases in them.

If you view yourself as a notch above others, especially if it is based on your church upbringing, beware. You may not have the same type of sin as others, but pride can literally cause God to oppose you personally. As a matter of fact, pride is at the top of God’s list of abominations (Pr. 6:16). Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to see Jesus at night. Do you remember what Jesus did? He humbled him: “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet do not know nor understand these things?” (John 3:10, Amp.) He destroyed his pride and Nicodemus got saved.

The Pharisees also believed that their activities were proof of their spirituality and closeness to God. They prayed long impressive prayers and quoted scriptures and followed the law to a tee; but their hearts were so distanced from God that they crucified the Son of God, which they continue to do today.

They were idolaters who coveted power, control, and money. We know this because it was after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead that the religious leaders were convinced that he had to go. Raising someone from the dead was undeniable truth of who Jesus was, but they dismissed it in order to maintain their position of power (John 11:48).

Jesus died for each one of us. Because he loves us, he gives us the opportunity to correct ourselves. If we do not judge ourselves, we will force him to judge and correct us. “For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by divine judgment] (1 Cor 11:31, Amp). We don’t have to wait to be corrected.