The Trap of Organized Religion

Now, let's talk about the other trap, organized religion. There's a difference

between religion and relationship. Religion has structure, hierarchy, and ritual,

but it can easily lose spirit. It becomes performance without presence. That's what happened

with the Pharisees. They knew scripture, but they didn't know the author. They could quote

prophecy, but they didn't recognize the fulfillment standing right in front of them.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:8, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts

are far from me," and that's what's happening in our generation. The Church has become

organized but not anointed. We've built empires, not altars. We've created stages,