WATCHMAN CHRONICLE

Faith requires standing and believing for a promise without receiving it.  Yet, the scripture tells us deferred hope makes the heart sick.  Can we expect to not have a ‘sick heart’ when promises are delayed?  If not, how then can we expect to maintain joy during the time of delay?  The truth is we can live in complete joy and victory and still never receive our promise.  There is a place we can live where the things which are not become as real as the things which are, and the things which now are become shadows of what used to be.  If that seems a little confusing just read on!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
(Ephesians 6:12)

The Church is currently waging a winning war against a host of spiritual forces.  Jesus promised we will win this battle and that the 'gates of hell' will not prevail against us.  One of the most important strongholds we will overcome will be the Religious Spirit.  A key strategy which must be used in spiritual warfare is battling in the realm of 'arguments'.  Understanding the way which this spirit gains a position of influence is an important first step.

The Church has had to deal with Fear and Pride.  They are two of our most daunting enemies.  Historically, they have worked in tandem, dividing the Church by creating extremes.  In one respect they have nothing in common since they possess characteristics which are mutually exclusive -- ie. pride is arrogant and forward whereas fear is timid.  Yet, if the truth be known, they are actually the hands and feet of another more cunning spirit.  They are the chief emissaries of the Religious Spirit.  Fear and Pride form the vanguard of the Religious Spirit's divisive strategy against the Body of Christ. Unfortunately, our ignorance of this fact has given it a tremendous corridor from which to operate.  It is time for this veil of ignorance to be lifted!

The religious spirit comes as an angel of light.  It pretends to be wisdom from above.  In reality, it purposes to stifle, suppress and suffocate the true expressions of the Holy Spirit.  Using man’s fear of the unknown it goads believers into a place of suspicion and unbelief.  Whether the issue is tongues, the renewal, or worship, the enemy is always at work.  But like any thief he leaves his mark, making him easier to spot.  You just need to know his modus operandi (mode of operation).  The attack is simple and can be identified as the pursuit of purity without the benefit of freedom.  Pretending to stand for purity, it withholds freedom while feigning a search for the ‘right’ way. This is the mark of a darkened wisdom.  It presents a form of spirituality but lacks critical