Legalism and Religious Spirits - Joyce Meyer Ministries - Asia .PDF
Legalism and Religious Spirits - Joyce Meyer Ministries - Asia .PDF
RELIGIOUS SPIRITS
LEGALISM
AND RELIGIOUS SPIRITS
Legalism Leads To
A Life Of Struggle
Foundation Scripture:
Romans 11:6 (KJV) – And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace
is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is
no more work.
A. Works of the flesh produce struggle. They are our human effort trying
to do God’s job.
B. Jeremiah 2:13 – Don’t spend your life digging “empty wells” that have
no water in them.
C. Isaiah 30:1-3 – Our plans always fail and leave us humiliated and
confused.
1. Prayer
2. Giving
3. Bible study
4. Exercise
F. Legalistic thinking says, “I have to.” The person who is free says,
“I want to, and I am going to discipline myself to do it.”
D. Are you struggling with family members and friends? Are you trying
to change them?
F. The legalistic person cannot rest mentally because they are always
trying to figure something out.
G. They cannot rest emotionally because they are always upset about
something that is not working out the way they desired.
E. John 7:37 – Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me
and drink.”
F. John 4:13-14 – If you drink regular water, you will thirst again; but those
who drink living water will never thirst again.
H. Faith SIMPLY believes; and, therefore, receives what has been there
for the taking all along.
3. Acts 8:17 – One by one, they all received the Holy Spirit.
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A. Matthew 9:17 – God is ready to pour out new wine. Are you ready
to get rid of your old wineskin?
A. Romans 12:2 – After a person accepts Christ as his Savior, his mind
must be entirely renewed; or he will never experience the good plan
that God has for his life.
D. Romans 8:6 – We have a mind of the flesh and a mind of the spirit.
E. Some people are narrow-minded; and they live little-bitty, narrow lives.
G. Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind and keep it set on things above –
high things, big things and not on things upon the earth – low things,
little things.
III. What Would It Be Like To Think In The Spirit (Like God Thinks)?
A. II Kings 5:1-14 – Naaman almost thought too much to get his healing.
1. New wine was available, but he still had his old wineskin.
B. He gives ABUNDANTLY.
DON’T BE NARROWED-MINDED
AND LIVE LITTLE-BITTY LIVES!!
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A. I don’t like to be asked that question; and when I am, I would prefer
to reply: “I’m not religious – I have a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ.”
3. Doctrines vary:
4. Some people believe in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed
in I Corinthians: Chapter 12, and others believe many of
these gifts disappeared with the early church. Some believe
in speaking in other tongues, and some believe tongues are
from the devil.
E. Religion is usually about what I can do, not what Jesus has done. It
says, “Here are the rules – if you can follow them, you are all right.”
II. What About The Law (The Commandments Of God And The Rules)?
B. Romans 5:20 – But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase
the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But
where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has
surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded.
E. The strength to follow the Law must begin on the inside and work its
way to the outside. God is our strength – CHRIST IN US, THE
HOPE OF GLORY!
D. I John 1:3 – Our fellowship is with the Father and with Jesus Christ.
E. John 16:7 – Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to be in close
fellowship with us.
D. A relationship with Jesus relieves burdens; it does not give you one.
E. Exodus 1:11 – Pharaoh put burdens on the people to keep them from
being powerful.
2. Jesus wanted to show mercy and help people, but the religious
leaders wanted to accuse and condemn.
C. We should give God the credit for anything good He helps us do and
take responsibility for all our wrong actions.
D. Romans 3:27 – Those who lived under the Law wanted to know what
happened to their boasting if they believed they were justified by faith.
a. Ephesians 2:8-9
b. II Corinthians 5:21
A. Romans 8:1-2 – The law of the Spirit of life has set us free from the
law of sin and death.
1. When the Law is read, a veil lies upon minds and hearts.
2. Romans 3:19 – The Law only speaks to those under the Law.
Hebrews 10:19-20
2. The Law does not die; we must learn to not respond to it.
4. Galatians 5:16 – Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill
the lusts of the flesh.
G. Galatians 2:19 – Paul died to the Law and all its demands.
1. The Law is rules, and those who keep the Law are rule
keepers (Pharisees). What do the rules say?
H. Romans 8:14-15 – Those who are bold enough to be led by the Spirit
are mature, and they will no longer live in bondage to fear.
I. II Corinthians 3:17 (KJV) – . . . where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is liberty.
A. How can a person really experience liberty unless they are free from the
bondage of debt?
B. Hebrews 9:7 – Once a year for a few minutes, they had a zero balance;
then the total started climbing for another year.
C. Hebrews 9:12 – Once, and for all, Jesus paid with His own blood
and life.
1. Hebrews 10:14-18
2. Isaiah 53:4-5
3. Romans 4:25
F. Stop trying to pay for something you can never pay for and stop trying
to make others pay what they cannot pay.
3. Romans 10:4 – Jesus paid! You are free. The Law says
YOU must pay, BUT
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A. James 4:8 – Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse
your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.
B. Psalm 16:8 – I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is
at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
3. Walk in obedience
F. Are you dating Jesus, or have you taken your final vows and received
Him as your Bridegroom?
1. When you are dating a person, you can come and go.
If they irritate you, you can stay away for a few days.
A. Acts 4:13 – The crowds recognized that Peter and John had been
with Jesus.
C. I John 3:6 – No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in
communion with and in obedience to Him – deliberately, knowingly,
and habitually] commits (practices) sin . . .
IV. How Can We Recognize When We Are Truly Fellowshiping With God?
How Does It Affect Us?
C. Thanksgiving
E. Prayer – especially when we are in a quiet place and truly praying with
our whole heart.
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