Skip to main content

What is "the spirit of religion?"


James 1:26–27- "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Here in the book of James, we encounter a passage that sarcastically addresses the notion of "religion" in a manner that challenges empty piety and superficial religious practices. James, with a hint of irony, sheds light on the fallacy of outward displays of religiosity, emphasizing the need for genuine transformation and a reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than hollow forms of worship. While some contend that the Bible provides us with a definition of "true religion" in this passage, it can be observed from the context that James is actually addressing individuals who were arrogantly boasting about their "religion." Consequently, he employs their own language to convey a theological message. 

We can further understand that the Bible is not setting forth a standard positive use of the word religion in this passage by digging deeper into the original language of the New Testament. "Religion" comes from the Greek word "thrēskeías" and is only used 4 times in the entire Bible. Each of these occurrences are unmistakably negative. In Acts 26:5 the Apostle Paul uses it to describe the strict "religion" of the Pharisees and in Colossians 2:18 he uses it to refer to people who worship angels. Other than this, we have the above instance where James uses the word twice to deal with people who were hypocritical.

Empty Piety: A Mockery of God’s Desire for the Church 

James, in his unique style, ridicules those who claim to be religious but fail to live out their faith in meaningful ways. He exposes the hypocrisy of those who hold onto empty piety, using the idea of "true religion" with a hint of sarcasm to point out the futility of their actions. It becomes evident that true religion is far removed from the façade of self-righteousness and instead demands a heartfelt commitment to repentance and godly living.

The Spirit of Religiosity: A Captivating Deception

Galatians 3:1‭-‬2- "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? (Emphasis mine)"

Beneath the surface of empty piety lies a dangerous spirit that has plagued believers throughout history—the spirit of religiosity/religion. This age-old demonic influence seeks to ensnare sincere individuals who genuinely desire to serve God. It deceives them into conforming to religious systems that prioritize outward rituals and regulations, rather than cultivating a vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The religious spirit doesn't like to be exposed! So it will pontificate, rationalize, and even misuse the Bible to try to justify it's enslaving behavior. The Cross of Christ provides a new way of repentance, renewal, and revival, not arrogant religiousity!

Acts 3:19- "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

Constricting God's Power: A Tragic Consequence

2 Timothy 3:5- "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

The spirit of religiosity operates as a constricting force, limiting the full manifestation of God's power in the lives of believers. By emphasizing external practices over genuine heart transformation, it obstructs the work of the Holy Spirit and suppresses the supernatural expressions of God's grace, love, and power. Consequently, those ensnared by religiosity often find themselves confined and spiritually stagnant, unable to experience the true freedom and transformation promised by a vibrant relationship with God.

Embracing True Liberation: The Holy Spirit's Power

Galatians 3:3- "Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

To break free from the grip of empty religiosity, believers must turn their focus towards the liberating power of the Holy Spirit. It is through a genuine relationship with the Holy Spirit that true worship, authentic service, and transformative encounters with God are realized. By surrendering to the leading of the Spirit, believers can overcome the constraints of religiosity and experience the fullness of God's transformative work in their lives.

James' sarcastic use of the term "true religion" challenges empty piety and superficial religious practices. However, it is essential to recognize the underlying spirit of religiosity that seeks to entrap believers and limit the power of God in their lives. By embracing the liberating power of the Holy Spirit, believers can break free from the chains of religiosity and experience a faith that is vibrant, transformative, and aligned with the purposes of God. Let us not be captivated by empty forms of religiosity but rather seek an authentic, Spirit-filled relationship with God, where His power and presence flow freely. Bind and remove the spirit of religiousity/religion from your life, tell it to go and never return in Jesus name!

Published by: Kyle Bailey, D.Min.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Storm on Your Phone: learning to fix our eyes on Jesus in the age of social media.

Matthew‬ ‭14:25‭-‬31‬ ‭NIV‬- “[25] Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. [26] When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. [27] But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” [28] “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” [29] “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” [31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” During one of the most climactic moments of Jesus' ministry, the Apostle Peter demonstrated a dazzling expression of faith and power. Moments after stepping on to the water, his courageous efforts fizzled in defeat. He found himself in a dangerous duel with the depths of the sea. What was it tha...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Review of: "Calvinism, Arminianism & The Word of God: A Calvary Chapel Perspective" By: Chuck Smith

Recently a Pastor friend of mine shared with me an article written by the founder of the Calvary Chapel Denomination Chuck Smith. It was written with the intention of addressing the Calvinism vs. Arminianism issue for all of the Calvary Chapel Churches. To see the article CLICK HERE . First of all I like the format of the paper in which he clearly set out to address both views and then clarify the Calvary Chapel stance. A couple of things that I noticed I want to point out below: Overall he did a fair job conveying the Arminian view, however I am not sure why he seemed to be confused on a couple of things he said. Over the year Arminius’ beliefs have been misrepresented and demonized by Calvinists so I can see why he made a few false assumptions regarding their beliefs. 1. He stated, “Arminius believed that the fall of man was not total, maintaining that there was enough good left in man for him to will to accept Jesus Christ unto salvation.” This is actually a descript...
Post a Comment
Read more

Can a Christian need Deliverance from Demons?

The question of whether Christians can be demonized and in need of deliverance is a th ought-provoking topic that ignites intense debate within Christian circles. While opinions may differ, this chapter aims to present a comprehensive overview of how Christians can benefit from the ministry of deliverance, supported by scriptural evidence. By delving into biblical passages, studying the original Greek, and examining the theological perspectives surrounding this topic, we can gain a deeper understanding of the possibility of Christians requiring deliverance from demonic influence/oppression. Oftentimes you will hear it said in Christian circles: "a person can either be possessed, oppressed, or influenced by the devil." However, this terminology is not used in the Bible, especially as it relates to the word "possessed." In fact, the Greek word "daimonizomai," used in some Bibles to mean "demon-possessed" is often improperly translated. Scholars ar...
Post a Comment
Read more