June 26
Forms of Godliness/Religious Spirit
2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) “Having a form of godliness…”
Forms of Godliness or Religious Spirits sound like something that none of us would have, it sounds like something back in Bible days. A religious spirit is holding a person to a certain standard. It’s a “form of godliness” which is control, expectation, judging, and manipulation.
Recently, I found myself judging someone based off my “forms of godliness”. In reality, I had a religious spirit and didn’t even know it. I had all these un-realistic expectations of this person. I found myself trying to figure out why this person was not measuring up to what I thought they should be or do. I was holding them captive just like a slave. I was not allowing them the freedom that Christ gives.
There are a several examples in the Bible about religious spirits. I want to talk about two of them:
1) In John 12:3-8, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. Judas Iscariot became angry and upset. He was trying to manipulate and control the situation. He was upholding his standards. Mary was free to do what she felt she needed to do, but it bothered Judas. Why do we always try to interfere with other people’s business?
2) In Matthew 12:10, Mark 3:2, John 9:14, and John 5:17-18 we see Jesus healing on the Sabbath. The Pharisees insisted that Jesus broke the ritual or the standard placed by the law for healing on the Sabbath.
Just like the Pharisees, I found myself placing expectations/standards on friends of how I thought their healing should come because of the way it came for me. How can I expect God to heal the same way every time? We see in the Bible so many different ways that God healed from spitting on mud to just speaking the Word.
In Galatians 5:1 (GW) it says, “Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.”
I was also judging decisions, lifestyles, and ways people worship. I was putting God in a box by doing that and not allowing God to be God. I was holding them hostage to my ideas and thoughts. Christ came to bring us freedom and life. What bondages are you holding over people? Will you free someone today? You were created for something far greater than holding someone in bondage. I just have to say, let it go and be FREE!!
We cry out to you God to check our hearts and see if we have any “forms of godliness/religious spirits” inside. I’m asking God to expose those spirits right now. Let’s get rid of them and ask God to purify our hearts. Religious Spirits kill and Jesus came to bring Life.
There is freedom in Him! You were created for Worshiping Him. I proclaim liberty to the captives and His anointing so strong on you right now. He has called you for such a time as this, to bring forth healing and spread it to the nations.
Isaiah 61 (NLT), “…God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
In partnership with Katherine Clift of DailyLiveWorship
Forms of Godliness/Religious Spirit
2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) “Having a form of godliness…”
Forms of Godliness or Religious Spirits sound like something that none of us would have, it sounds like something back in Bible days. A religious spirit is holding a person to a certain standard. It’s a “form of godliness” which is control, expectation, judging, and manipulation.
Recently, I found myself judging someone based off my “forms of godliness”. In reality, I had a religious spirit and didn’t even know it. I had all these un-realistic expectations of this person. I found myself trying to figure out why this person was not measuring up to what I thought they should be or do. I was holding them captive just like a slave. I was not allowing them the freedom that Christ gives.
There are a several examples in the Bible about religious spirits. I want to talk about two of them:
1) In John 12:3-8, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. Judas Iscariot became angry and upset. He was trying to manipulate and control the situation. He was upholding his standards. Mary was free to do what she felt she needed to do, but it bothered Judas. Why do we always try to interfere with other people’s business?
2) In Matthew 12:10, Mark 3:2, John 9:14, and John 5:17-18 we see Jesus healing on the Sabbath. The Pharisees insisted that Jesus broke the ritual or the standard placed by the law for healing on the Sabbath.
Just like the Pharisees, I found myself placing expectations/standards on friends of how I thought their healing should come because of the way it came for me. How can I expect God to heal the same way every time? We see in the Bible so many different ways that God healed from spitting on mud to just speaking the Word.
In Galatians 5:1 (GW) it says, “Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.”
I was also judging decisions, lifestyles, and ways people worship. I was putting God in a box by doing that and not allowing God to be God. I was holding them hostage to my ideas and thoughts. Christ came to bring us freedom and life. What bondages are you holding over people? Will you free someone today? You were created for something far greater than holding someone in bondage. I just have to say, let it go and be FREE!!
We cry out to you God to check our hearts and see if we have any “forms of godliness/religious spirits” inside. I’m asking God to expose those spirits right now. Let’s get rid of them and ask God to purify our hearts. Religious Spirits kill and Jesus came to bring Life.
There is freedom in Him! You were created for Worshiping Him. I proclaim liberty to the captives and His anointing so strong on you right now. He has called you for such a time as this, to bring forth healing and spread it to the nations.
Isaiah 61 (NLT), “…God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
In partnership with Katherine Clift of DailyLiveWorship
