Make Believe Religion

Make Believe Religion

Did you know that modern ritualism is a curse to the church and an insult to God? 

The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:5 (NIV) and warns him to be on guard for people who practice a make-believe religion.  He describes them as "Having a form of godliness but denying its power."  

Religion that can be put on with Sunday clothes and taken off as easily never goes very deep into the heart or life.  Yet these people are not shallow or empty when it comes to serving themselves or the world. 

Ezekiel speaks of such people in Ezekiel 33:31 (NIV) when he says, “My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice.”

Even Jesus, speaking of the same class of people in Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV), says, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."   

God hates the mere form of religion. He knows whether our worship is sincere or not!  Indeed, this kind of religion curses the church and insults the very God who sacrificed His Son on the cross for our sins.  

Beloved, is God powerfully changing you through an abiding relationship with Him through faith in His Son?  Or are you making yourself go through the motions with the hope that it will earn favor with God?  Do not be like those who go through the form of worship but when you look for the power of godliness in their life—you do not find it.  This make-believe religion will not stand the test of eternity.  Will YOU? 

This is Laine Wilder for Carry the Light Ministries, bringing you Insights From an Elder.

by Laine Wilder

author of “Insights From an Elder” for

Carry the Light Ministries