Text: Matthew 23:25-28
Memory verse:
“having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭

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Religious spirit is satan’s deceptive works to cause confusion and chaos in the Body of Christ by imitating the work of the Holy Spirit. This hypocritical spirit can be identified by the Holy Spirit at work in a believer. However, this spirit has identifiable characteristics and one of such is having a form of religious appearance. They are so concerned with the appearances of being holy and righteous. It’s strategy is to deceive it’s victim into thinking if they act like a Christian, that will replace the need of Christ in their lives. The victims thus build confidence in their religious look and qualifying themselves before God. They have external religious reforms but no internal regeneration. ““… like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” ‭‭(Matt‬ ‭23‬:‭27‬). While, your outlook is important before God as well, it should be the product of an inner grace. That is, any external reform should be the result of an inner change. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (‭‭II Cor‬ ‭5‬:‭17).
They have a show of godliness but they deny the power thereof(2 Tim 3:5). Their outlook presents them as being godly but they deny the transforming power of God’s grace.
Friends, are you under deception of religious spirit? Religious spirit presents an appearance that makes it hard for believers to think of one who has it unsaved and to present the message of salvation.

Prayer points
1. Father, give me the spirit of discernment so I will be able to identify religious spirit.
2. I take authority over every religious spirits making people to replace genuine relationship with Christ with external forms in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1. Outward reform is a product of an inner rebirth.
2. I can tell when I met Christ and how His grace saved me. Can you tell yours?

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng