Religion can be Deadly
The Religious Spirit
Todd Bentley
Most people that are set free from a religious spirit, or religious ways, are not actually walking free like Jesus. Instead, they simply switch from religion to rebellion. The heart begins to be in rebellion toward religious people and religious churches rather than the religious spirit. The religious spirit always tries to get people to camp in one place. It will hold on to that which is familiar and comfortable rather than moving on from glory to glory. Remember Peter, under the inspiration of satan, tried to rebuke Jesus because He was going to the cross to suffer and pay for the sin of mankind. But Jesus turned and rebuked satan in Peter because it was actually Peter operating with a religious spirit. His mindset was that of man rather than that of Christ.
Faith + Works /= Performance
God’s requirement of us – Mustard size seed of faith
Dismantling Shame
Abuse creates toxic shame – the feeling of being flawed and diminished and never measuring up. Toxic shame feels much worse than guilt. With guilt, you’ve done something wrong; but you can repair that – you can do something about it. With toxic shame there’s something wrong with you and there’s nothing you can do about it; you are inadequate and defective. Toxic shame is the core of the wounded child. This meditation sums up the ways that the wonderful child got wounded. The loss of your I AM-ness is spiritual bankruptcy. The wonder child is abandoned and all alone.
