What is a Religious Spirit?
“O Lord YAH, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.”
Evangelist Steve Marlowe
The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA’S responseto false accusations.
The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA has been falsely accused of having a “religious spirit.”
What is a Religious Spirit?
1) A religious spirit is a type of demonic spirit that influences a person, or group of people, to replace a genuine relationship with God with works and traditions.
Response: This accusation against the Nazareans is patently false. We follow the Bible, and we base everything on what the Bible says. We believe:“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We seek to know Him and to have a genuine relationship with Christ according to the gospel, and “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ‘But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked’” (1 John 2:3-6). The Nazarean Ministry is about keeping His commandments, not as a means to our salvation, which was the free gift of God according to our faith, but because we love Him. We seek to worship in spirit and truth, and not by any “religious spirit,” as so defined.
2) When people operate out of a religious spiritthey attempt to earn salvation. This evil spirit has established non-biblical beliefs and customs for generations. Yet, as Believers, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the work of the religious spirit. It is lurking around attempting to cause judgment and destruction among Believers and in the Body of the Church.
Response: The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA is not about attempting to earn salvation. We seek to establish biblical beliefs according to the tradition of Christ and to expose the traditions of men that are not of Christ. If we cause destruction, it would be against the Traditions of Men that make void the Word of God. We are witnesses against religious hypocrisy. “He (YAHSHUA)answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men...” (Mark 7:6-8). The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA is against laying aside the commandments of God, and teachings as doctrines the traditions of men making void the Word of God.
3) Satan, the enemy, is an angel of light, who isattempting to counterfeit any of God’s good and perfect gifts, in effort to cause chaos, confusion, shame, and guilt. He does this with the work of the “religious spirit.” “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
Response: The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA seeks to counter Satan’s deceptions inflicted upon all, which have caused counterfeit religions, demonstrated by the Christian House divided into many churches at odds with each other. We are attempting to expose the falsehood perpetrated upon unsuspecting Christians in search of the truth. We are keenly aware that Satan is deceiving the whole world (Revelation 12:9), and so we seek to“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow isthe gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).Many Christians think that a majority is always right, when in fact according to the Gospel, the opposite is true.
4) This religious spirit is out to imitate the work of the Holy Spirit. Satan’s demonic forces can cause great confusion and deception. Many who claim to be led by the Holy Spirit are unable to identify and deal with this bitter and hypocritical spirit. The irony is that many in the church today could be suffering with this “religious spirit.” If you claim the Holy Spirit for the purposes of truth, but in reality to bolster your counterfeit Christian religion, then you are indeed deceitful.
There are a number of trademarks of the religious spirit. But the Holy Spirit has equipped us with God’s full armor. You can identify this spirit and overcome it!
Response: Satan is the great counterfeiter, and close scrutiny of the Gospel proves this very well. Again, Nazareans seek to counter this by giving a true defense of the true Gospel. Nazareans having are Religious Spirit is such a false accusation, but we take heart, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:13-17).
How does a religious spirit manifest?
1) A religious spirit can manifest in different ways. It often uses a person’s history and circumstances to afflict internal whispers of judgment and pressure to perform. These infectious lies plant seeds of false righteousness and holiness. These seeds bare bitter fruit. Eventually, the person who is operating in the religious spirit harbors resentment. This leads to a multitude of destructive thoughts and behaviors.
Let’s look at ways this spirit wages war against the grace and power of God in a Believer’s life:
Concerns with outside appearances of being holy and righteous—This spirit deceives those in the Church into thinking if they act like a Christian it replaces the need for Christ in their lives. These are dangerous thoughts. Pride slowly starts to creep in and puffs up the Believer's thoughts and actions. This blocks the blessing of an intimate relationship with God.
“…God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:60).
Attempts to earn God’s love and salvation—Even though a Believer could know the truth of our Savior, this spirit suggests to the mind that they must earn God’s love with their actions. Pressure is turned on and thus builds, causing feelings of guilt, shame, and doubt.
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Craves a position of honor in the Church—Closely related to pride, this spirit drives Believers to seek positions in the Church or ministry where they will be recognized and commended. As a result, the Believer becomes isolated, because he or she is more focused on tasks and praise than honoring God and thinking of others.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Develops a harsh, judgmental attitude toward others— This spirit will skillfully mutter words of judgment toward others in a Believer’s life. This voice will become louder and louder until he or she feels completely justified to place blame and accuse their brethren. This, like the position of honor, isolates the Believer and can blind them of their own weaknesses.
“…First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).
Becomes ridged and refuses change—A religious spirit rejects any revelation that calls for change. Because of the pride that has crept in, a Believer thinks they know what is best. They are often closed off to any other ideas or thoughts of moving forward when the Holy Spirit begins to speak.
“…He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).
These are only a few ways the religious spirit manifests itself in a Believer. If there is the bitter fruit of pride, self-righteousness, anger and resentment, the religious spirit is actively seeking more ways to cause chaos.
We need to be discerning of this toxic leaven of the Pharisees.
“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy’” (Luke 12:1).
A religious spirit is a type of demonic spirit that influences a person, or group of people, to replace a genuine relationship with God with works and traditions. When people operate out of a religious spirit they attempt to earn salvation. This evil spirit has established non-biblical beliefs and customs for generations. Yet, as Believers, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the work of the religious spirit. It is lurking around attempting to cause judgment and destruction among Believers and in the Body of the Church.
We know the enemy is an angel of light, attempting to counterfeit any of God’s good and perfect gifts, in an effort to cause chaos, confusion, shame, and guilt. He does this with the work of the religious spirit.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
This religious spirit is out to imitate the work of the Holy Spirit. We must be clear that no matter how hard Satan tries to forge the work of the Holy Spirit, he cannot. But he can cause great confusion and deception. The good news is, when you seek to be led by the Holy Spirit, you will be able to identify and deal with this bitter and hypocritical spirit.
There are a number of trademarks of the religious spirit. But the Holy Spirit has equipped us with God’s full armor. You can identify this spirit and overcome it!
How does a religious spirit manifest?
A religious spirit can manifest in different ways. It often uses a person’s history and circumstances to afflict internal whispers of judgment and pressure to perform. These infectious lies plant seeds of false righteousness and holiness.
These seeds bear bitter fruit. Eventually, the person who is operating in the religious spirit harbors resentment. This leads to a multitude of destructive thoughts and behaviors.
Let’s look at ways this spirit wages war against the grace and power of God in a Believer’s life:
Concerns with outside appearances of being holy and righteous—This spirit deceives those in the Church into thinking if they act like a Christian it replaces the need for Christ in their lives. These are dangerous thoughts. Pride slowly starts to creep in and puffs up the Believer thoughts and actions. This blocks the blessing of an intimate relationship with God.
“…God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Attempts to earn God’s love and salvation—Even though a Believer could know the truth of our Savior, this spirit suggests to the mind that they must earn God’s love with their actions. Pressure is turned on and thus builds, causing feelings of guilt, shame, and doubt.
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Craves a position of honor in the Church—Closely related to pride, this spirit drives Believers to seek positions in the Church or ministry where they will be recognized and commended. As a result, the Believer becomes isolated, because he or she is more focused on tasks and praise than honoring God and thinking of others.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Develops a harsh, judgmental attitude toward others—This spirit will skillfully mutter words of judgment toward others in a Believer’s life. This voice will become louder and louder until he or she feels completely justified to place blame and accuse their brethren. This, like the position of honor, isolates the Believer and can blind them of their own weaknesses.
“…First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:50.
Becomes ridged and refuses change—A religious spirit rejects any revelation that calls for change. Because of the pride that has crept in, a Believer thinks they know what is best. They are often closed off to any other ideas or thoughts of moving forward when the Holy Spirit begins to speak.
“…He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).
These are only a few ways the religious spirit manifests itself in a Believer. If there is bitter fruit of pride, self-righteousness, anger, and resentment, the religious spirit is actively seeking more ways to cause chaos.
We need to be discerning of this toxic leaven of the Pharisees.
“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy’” (Luke 12:1).
TAKING THE GOSPEL OF YAHSHUAHAMASHIACH INTO ALL THE NATIONS!
The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA acts as a voice to the Nations, walking out the instructions of Mark 16:15, “…Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature.” With the vision to preach and to publish openly the good news The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA brings a message of salvation that can be heard throughout the Nations of the World!
