Religion by its very nature, almost always narrows the mind to new thoughts.
Therefore, 95% of the world’s population stays within the religious system that they were born or raised in. Hindus tend to stay Hindus, Muslims tend to stay Muslims, Jews tend to stay Jews, Catholics tend to stay Catholic, etc. Because of religion, many people cannot have their views regarding God challenged without getting angry or emotionally upset. In this light, the following statement is very true: Truth hurts.
Religion by its very nature, stifles the investigation of new ideas. Followers of Jesus were expelled from Judaism because Judaism could not change. Protestants were expelled from the Roman Catholic church because the Roman church could not change. What does this say about the possibility of spiritual growth and radical change within a religious body?
Religion by its very nature, encompasses a body of knowledge that is far larger than most of its members care to understand. For this very reason, few people do not question the origin or foundation of their beliefs; rather, they turn to a religious authority figure and accept whatever they say. Religious leaders recognize the importance of establishing their own publishing houses because laity prefer to read material produced within their denomination. This process also keeps the views of the laity limited and narrowed.
No one can live without religion. The devil knows that God made us this way. Every person is born with an inherited need for the elements of religion. And, in some form, they are manifested in each person. The basic elements of religion are:
Admiration of someone or something greater.
Submission to someone or something greater.
Association with others loving the same someone or something.
Religion by its very nature, has compelling power for good and bad. Unfortunately, religion has blinded billions of people from knowing the truth that is found in God’s Word, the Bible. People end up worshiping their old time religion, instead of God. They are not the same. Truth moves forward, but religion cannot.
The devil knows this, so he has made religion an attractive nuisance in two opposite ways. First, many are drawn astray either to new and interesting ideas that promise an “enlightening” experience or on the flip side, the devil uses religion to keep people in darkness. Where are those people who walk with the Lord "in the light of His Word" and follow Him wherever He may lead?
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it, only those who walk in the Way--and fools will not stray onto it. Isaiah 35:8
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
Jill Soto
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