Spiritual warfare is very important - for the body of Christ is being attacked from numerous different angles, from many different sources, and from many areas that we do not expect.

A "spirit of religion" is a phrase that is used often today in the church. 

Often used in your more "grace-centered" places of worship, the term is usually spoken to pinpoint or point-out an act of legalism or judgmental activity. Whenever someone begins to act out judgments or their activities around religion instead of relationship, then they are usually accused of being controlled by a spirit of religion.

The sad truth is that legalism is very real and it does real damage! The good intentioned holy-spirit filled Christian can still quickly fall prey to the spirit of religion and bring harm to themselves as well as other people. Sometimes it is literally a spirit (a demon) working through a person, and yet sometimes it is simply an improper mindset based on years of wrong teaching.

Turn on Christian television and you will see the legalistic preacher bring condemnation and shame to those who are still attempting to mature in the body of Christ, and you will also see the other ministers, coming against the legalistic preachers! We are coming against each other and we must stop!

Now does the spirit of religion stop with the legalistic Christian? Not in the least. Truly, more often we are experiencing the spirit of religion both attack and influence Christians with a spirit of "elitism" - An "air" about them that causes them to truly believe they are part of some elite club! As they receive revelation in an area from God, they become arrogant and superior to those without the same revelation.

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