Indagatio Veri

The religious spirit is something that I am continually becoming free from; and yes, I do believe that it is a spirit and not just a thought process.  I want to describe the ways that I have been influenced by this spirit, in hopes that you can learn to recognize it and become free as well. The religious spirit is powerful and is at work on believers and non-believers alike.  It has one main purpose, to undermine our faith in the Gospel, spreading lies to blind us to what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and cause us to take control of our life with God. The word 'religious' makes many think of the Pharisees in scripture who sought to become righteous in their own power; or the classic 'conservative christian', who lives a compromised life while having a aggressive disposition towards immorality. Both of these 'classic cases' can reveal some truth about the RS, but it is usually much more subtle than that.  You might be surprised by the drastic ways you yourse...

Jesus was the happiest, most joyful, man that ever lived, He even endured the cross for the 'joy set before Him' (Hebrews 12:2)! We have the Spirit of Christ living inside of us, greater is He that is within us than he that is within the world (1 John 4:4).  Mr. Joy is inside of us! We are instructed to 'rejoice at all times' (Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16), and that the 'joy of the Lord is our strength' (Nehemiah 8:10).  This joy is unspeakable and full of Glory (1 Peter 1:8)!  Paul was so fulfilled with Jesus' work that He was content no matter the circumstances (Philippians 4:11) to the extent that he even learned to rejoice midst suffering (Romans 5:5)! Is this a possible experiential reality that we can step into? Is it fathomable to you? What about worry, anxiety, bitterness or complaining? Did you know that these are 'anti-Christ' attitudes.  "Do all things without grumbling or disputing (Philippians 2:14)."   Is this sort ...