As a Christian minister, I’m truly grieved over what is taking place in many nations, especially America the “land of the free and home of the brave.”
It’s truly amazing to see the disconnect and divisiveness that has taken hold of this nation because of the “political” and “religious” spirit. These are demonic influences. Never before have I seen such hard-heartedness among a nation of people that profess to be “one nation under God.” God is love!
Because of evil the hearts of many have grown cold. Matthew 24:12 says this about the last days, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
In my search for understanding, I came across two references that shed some light on what we are witnessing today. Only with God-given discernment can we tell apart the good and evil influences that surround us. Our spirit must be trained to discern good from evil. Hebrews 5:14
Today, many call good evil and evil good. (Isaiah 5:20) As passionate believers, we are implored to let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9) Many Scriptures admonish us to “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) We are to “depart from evil and do good.” (Psalm 37:27) To not turn to the left or right; turn our feet from evil. (Proverbs 4:27)
We have the right to choose what we believe, yet our beliefs should never turn into hatred of one another. Jesus commanded us to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
God’s eyes are everywhere watching good and evil.
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Proverbs 15:3
Two of the major demonic influences working in the world today are the religious and political spirits.
One of the greatest hindrances you will encounter in your Christian walk is “the religious spirit.” Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. They can be hard to discern precisely because they are religious; they are pious, even hyper-spiritual. Their influence can pervade a person’s life and church like yeast pervades a lump of dough. That’s why Jesus said, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6 NASB).”
The political spirit is an invisible demonic mastermind that strategizes ways to thwart God’s plans; to achieve its corrupt goals, it enters into alliances with religious spirits and institutions often backed by mammon. The political spirit will always try to buy off, corrupt, manipulate, and dominate leaders and groups of people. It mesmerizes people into false loyalties while issuing demands of uniformity through the pressures of fear, shame, and control. 1.
So how to counteract them?
Walking in the “spirit of truth” combats all demonic influences, including the religious and the political spirit. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13
As Christians, we are wise to recognize what is taking place today. I pray that the Lord will grant you a discerning heart to discern good from evil. A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. Proverbs 15:14
Endnotes
1. Exposing the Religious and Political Spirit, James Goll, godencounters.com
May God speak to you mightily through this post.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 