Introduction

Today we look at one of the ways in which the enemy incapacitates a godly man. This is also one of those issues that can be very detrimental for your spiritual health: the spirit of religion.

The spirit of religion

There is a fast difference between the spirit of religion and religion as God intended it to be.

The spirit of religion is misleading, and its purpose is to tempt the church into moving away from a living relationship with God and to settle for a life of doing spiritual things. This can also be called spiritual mediocrity. In such a state, we can lose fervor and settle for religious routine.

This state can leave one with a false sense of security and may end in our ultimate downfall. In Matt. 7:21-23, Jesus states very clearly that on the last day many will come and say: " . . . I have done this, and I have done that . . . in Your Name." However, Jesus will send them away because they were never really His.

I must be clear on this point: there is no middle way. You can either serve the Lord or not. Spiritual mediocrity is to not serve the Lord.

In 1 Pet. 1:14-16 we read that we are called to a life of holiness. We should be constantly seeking to learn and grow in the knowledge of God and get to know Him better. We understand this in terms of our human relationships: that we must spend time with someone and get to know them better. But somehow the enemy temps us to fall into this trap.

Step out of comfort zone and seek Him wholeheartedly.

What does it mean?

• Make a firm decision to serve God and Him only. No half measures.
• Study the Word of God daily. If you are uncertain where to start, begin with the Gospel of John.
• Spend time with God daily. This is called quiet time. Go to a quiet place in your house, calm your thoughts, and start to focus on God. What I have found useful in my own life is to read a Psalm aloud. Then wait for God to show up. Pray and listen. Do not rush this and make this time a priority.
• Often do introspection to make sure that you are not just "going through the motions."