THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT 5

THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT 5

Text: Mark 7:5-9
Memory verse:
Memory verse:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬

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The religious spirit is a demonic spirit that thrives in the flesh and cannot survive in the Spirit-controlled life. Grace comes to move us from a life controlled by the flesh to a life of the Spirit.
“But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to—if, in fact, God’s Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Rom‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ ‭GNT).
The sinful nature is the life in the flesh which is contrary to the life in the Spirit. The religious spirit, being in the flesh, is vehemently opposed to any revelation by the Spirit that calls for a change. It is rigid and unyielding to the move of the Spirit. Although the possessor of a religious spirit has some forms of godliness and is very active in church, yet he/she is not inclined to the leading and revelation of the Spirit. Being engrossed in religious traditions and customs, they resist the move of the Spirit to bring any change to their religious system. Their hearts are so filled with pride – a fruit of the life in the flesh, that they think they know it all and cannot learn anything new.
‭‭Such was the religious sect that Jesus rebuked in our text.
“You put aside God’s command and obey human teachings.”
‭‭(Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭GNT)‬‬.
While you shouldn’t be like children tossed to and fro by every wave of doctrines, yet you should be conscious not to allow the religious spirit to creep in. Live in the Spirit and be open to the changes being brought by the revelation of the Spirit.

Prayer points
1. Father, I renounce the religious spirit and I embrace the life of the Spirit in Jesus name.
2. I break the hold of unprofitable religious tradition in my life in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1. I am saved by grace to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
2. I am led by the Spirit and open to changes by the revelation of the Spirit.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng