Overcomers, Part 1

Revelation 12:10-11 [NIV] // "For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They overcame [conquered, prevailed against ] him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..."

1 John 5:4-5 [NIV] // "for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

Romans 8:37 // "...we are more than conquerors [victorious] through Him who loved us."  

God has given us access to God's enabling grace to live an Overcoming Life.

He just switches TACTICS!  

Romans 8:15 // For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

A Religious Spirit

A religious spirit is a lie which seeks to substitute [replace] the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives with performance.

2 Timothy 3:5 [NKJV] // "having a form [appearance] of godliness, but denying its power."

It can come off as a ZEAL for God.   

Proverbs 19:2 [NIV] // "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge..."

"Why am I zealous for God?"  

Four Reasons:

1. Fear
2. Pride
3. Love
4. Combination

Five ways a religious spirit reveals itself...  

1.  Unteachable
A person who has a "Religious Spirit" by nature is above correction and reproof.

2.  Self-Absorbed
A person who has a "Religious Spirit" by nature is preoccupied with their own recognition.

3.  Critical
A person who has a "Religious Spirit" by nature focuses on what is wrong with others while they remain blind to their own faults.

4.  Score Keeper
A person who has a "Religious Spirit" by nature puts more faith in their sacrifice than in the Lord's sacrifice.

5.  Martyr Syndrome
A person who has a "Religious Spirit" by nature believes that God has chosen them to suffer for His glory.

1 John 4:18 [NKJV] // There is no fear [performance] in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.