I'm a proud possessor of a religious spirit

James 1:27 says: "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

There's not a thing wrong with religion. The following video is is one of the best I've seen countering the charges that you have a religious spirit.

False teachers will say you have a religious spirit if you're a stickler for doctrine; however, they're just as much sticklers for doctrine. The only difference is if your doctrine comes from God's word and disagrees with theirs, you have a demon! They teach that someone who has a religious spirit is marked by insistence on the finality and reliability of God's word. On the other hand, if you get your inspiration from direct revelation and believe in doctrines that are "fresh" and "new," then this doctrine is okay. Everyone has doctrine (teaching): Which doctrine would you rather adhere to?

Every one of the quotes and clips in this video are from people who are leading the way in the great apostasy. They're NAR, so note the references to a "new reformation" and how those who oppose it are in error and blocking God's will.

Great video. And, no surprise that I'm the first to respond to your post. It is amazing how I have been accused of being "religious" mostly from this very forum.

It bothers me none that I am labeled by hyper-critical "christians." While it is heartbreaking in one sense, it also amuses me to see my "brothers" and "sisters" relentlessly attack. Their attacks have utterly no impact upon me, what I think of myself, nor my desire to change what I believe. In fact, their attack only cause me to further and more deeply believe what I believe and why I believe.

The only thing that didn't make sense in the entire video is the final sentence where they openly state that they are sinful; that they are wretched, quoting Romans 7. That, sir . . . makes no sense whatsoever. If those two are still sinful and wretched, then there has been no Transformation (Rom 12:2). Committing sin and being utterly wretched and sinful; being in a state of out of control (which is what Paul was describing as a persecutor and murderer of Christians) are two different concepts. Paul was Transformed and thus turned from being the "worst of the worst" sinners, as he no longer was killing innocent men, women and who knows . . . maybe even children. Paul was totally and utterly Transformed, thus he no longer was killing. He no longer lived as he once did, but changed completely. Within a matter of weeks, he went from the Damascus Road, on his way to seek a list of names by which to gather and persecute, to preaching and teaching the Life of Christ. Within weeks!

I always roll my eyes into the back of my head when I hear people talking about the "spirit of religion". I must be POSSESSED! Under spiritual ATTACK!
I have all the symptoms- I disagree with people occasionally, I have critical thoughts, and even read the bible; sometimes doing RELIGIOUS RITUALS found in its pages.

That's a good video. Christian spirituality simply cannot be just holding hands and happy-vibes. It wasn't for Jesus and it's not gonna be for us either.

Obviously it is possible to be religious in a bad way, but it's wrongfully used as a loaded term when talking about Christians who actually have a set of beliefs that they stick by.

Regardless of the amount of transformation, we're still sinful and wretched. Until a person fully accepts this they can never attain the true humility God requires.

Okie doke. Well, I know that I am Loved by God. He found me as I was about to physically die and Powerfully Indwelt me . . . the experience was physically measurable. I was Purified of the Sinful Nature and have been, since that Holy Day, been Transforming more and more to reflect His Glory.

I may sin occasionally, but I am not wretched. The Lord does not cast His Pearls upon pigs.

Take care

Yes, that's a great point and I totally agree.