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 The Mind Behind the Religious System

Watchman Nee in "Love Not the World", speaks about the mind behind the world system or the "many sub-systems of the world system", you could say. Some of which are commerce, technology, politics, education, literature, science, art, law, religion, etc., etc.

"The time has passed when we need to go out into the world in order to make contact with it. Today the world comes and searches us out. There is a force abroad now which is captivating men. Have you ever felt the power of the world as much as today? Have you ever heard so much talk about money? Have you ever thought so much about food and clothing? Wherever you go, even among Christians, the things of the world are the topics of conversation. The world has advanced to the very door of the Church and is seeking to draw even the saints of God into its grasp. Never in this sphere of things have we needed to know the power of the Cross of Christ to deliver us as we do at the present time.

Formerly we spoke much of sin and of the natural life. We could readily see the spiritual issues there, but we little realized then what equally great spiritual issues are at stake when we touch the world. There is a spiritual force behind this world scene which, by means of "the things that are in the world," is seeking to enmesh men in its system. It is not merely against sin therefore that the saints of God need to be on their guard, but against the ruler of this world. God is building up his Church to its consummation in the universal reign of Christ. Simultainneously his rival is building up this world system to its vain climax in the reign of antichrist. How watchful we need to be lest at any time we be found helping Satan in the construction of that ill-fated kingdom. When we are faced with alternatives and a choice of ways confronts us, the question is not: Is this good or evil? Is this helpful or hurtful? No, the question we must ask ourselves is: Is it of this world, or of God? For since there is only this one conflict in the universe, then whenever two conflicting courses lie open to us, the choice at issue is never a lesser one than: God ... or Satan?" (Watchman Nee, end of Chapter 1, "The Mind Behind the System)

The world is concerned with power and control and greed. And Satan is the mind behind the world system. One of the "systems" of this world is the religious system, which endeavors to counterfeit everything of God. The religious system therefore thinks and acts in like manner with the ways of the world (power, control and greed). The undiscerning or spiritually blind believe the religious system represents God.

The religious system, just like all the other systems of this world are aligned with "the god of this world" (II Cor. 4:4). And Satan's religious system is without a doubt the most subtle and insidious form of Satan’s activity on earth. Satan's religious kingdom which opposes the kingdom of God at every turn, seeks to manipulate people and events through political power plays, favoritism, flatter, bribery, etc., etc. Satan, disguised as an "angel of light" (II Cor. 11:14), counterfeits the church and masquerades as the Kingdom of God.

The reason that many of us have been deceived in one way or another through our walk with Christ is that Satan has counterfeited virtually everything concerning the Kingdom of God.

Matt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.

Screwtape, a character (the Devil) in C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, says “it will be an ill day for us if what most humans mean by ‘religion’ ever vanishes from the Earth... Nowhere do we tempt so successfully as on the very steps of the altar.”

Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.

(http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1601-1700/french-scientist-blaise-pascal-11630138.html)

 2016/1/4 21:04





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