What is the spirit of religion?

The spirit of religion is an important stumbling block for a living relationship with the living God. Instead of a living relationship with God, this spirit of religion acts as a substitute. Through the religious spirit the enemy of our souls stimulates false religiosity. But this spirit also imitates the Lord and His work. In this manner it blinds people and keeps them from developing a relationship in ‘spirit and in truth’. The operation of the spirit of religion is quite manifest in sects and pagan religions. But the spirit of religion is just as active within the Christian church. The religious spirit operates within the church of Christ more cunningly than outside the church. The devil sends his most clever imitations to people who know the Lord already in some measure. Through such imitations he attempts to undermine their relationship and life with God. Therefore it is of utmost importance to discern this spirit in order to be delivered from it and to arm ourselves against its operations. This discernment is important both for individual Christians and for the church as a whole.

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