making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13
Have you ever seen an evil spirit? I can honestly say I have not seen anything with my natural eyes, but I believe the spirit of religion raised its ugly head around me twice last week.
You probably have never thought about what a spirit looks like, again I am not going around looking for angels or demons but in a two conversations this spirit came out of nowhere. Here is how you can know it is not from God, this spirit gets offended when you step out in faith and start believing the word of God.
Paul’s words are so much better than anything I could write on dealing with this spirit, so here is what he is saying to you, as you begin to walk in the power of God’s word.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:12-16
There is a freedom in forgetting those things which are behind; failures, disappointments, loss, pain, suffering etc. While you forget the bad, you will gain a peace that surpasses all understanding…You simply move on with what God has for you today.
Start each day in the word of God, finish each day in the word and the spirit of religion will not stick to you. How can you know when you are dealing with the spirit of religion? This spirit (as is true with most evil spirits) always brings up the past. “You standing on that promise brother?” “Well, sister so and so died from that, are you saying you are better than her?”
WHAT? Where did that come from? I said, “I am going to believe God for healing”. I am meditating on God’s word, reading when and how Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease. I also believe the promise of John 14:12 , I can do everything Jesus did. Which by the way is, heal all manner of sickness and disease. (One of many promises)
The spirit of religion does not want anyone to actually meditate on the word of God, this spirit wants us to stay busy arguing, defending our position, holding on to “How we always have done it”. The traditions and doctrines of men, is in a word…Religion. As I study Jesus’ words in Mark 7 this is exactly what He was dealing with too.
I am choosing the word of God over the words of others, I am not called to argue or defend my position, Jesus has called me and you to heal. God wants a complete healing, both physical and spiritual healing.
Salvation brings a spiritual healing that was accomplished at the Cross.
Before Jesus died, He took a beating, so when you look to those stripes in faith, physical bodies are healed. I don’t have it all figured out, but using the name of Jesus, I have seen people healed. Try it, if you are a disciple of Christ, you have been given the power to heal. Trust me, it is in the Bible, all you have to do is believe.
Until next time, remember: You overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, and by becoming a living sacrifice. Revelation 12:11