Religious Tradition...Dancing With The Devil?

Before any newspaper article that I write goes to press, I email a copy to the subject to obtain approval of the contents.
     Recently, after finalizing an article, I sent it to the subject. Any corrections that were deemed necessary were made, and I prepared to forward it to my editor. Just before sending that email, I received a call from another person that knew a little more concerning the subject. I sent a copy to that person, who clarified a few topics and added some information. Again, the article received approval and was ready for press. Then, I received an email. The article had made it to someone else's desk, and as I opened an attachment to the email, I viewed a copy of the article that was totally altered. Descriptive words were deleted, sentences had been re-worded, and it had the signature (not literally, but figuratively) of another author. The original form and ideas were there, but now the article had a whole different "feel"...sterile, like a document rather than a story. Slightly frustrated, I honored the requested changes. Now, I was ready to send the article to press, but it was time to go to church, so I would have to wait until I came home.
     A few hours later, I decided to wrap up my work and send it to the editor. I opened the email (this is the method by which I send my articles), and there was an email from the same person with additional revisions. How could there be so much wrong with my article when two people had already approved it?!? There was really nothing wrong with the way I had written it, but on the other hand, there was nothing wrong with the way that person wrote it either. It was just a moment of unbelief and aggrivation for me, but I honored the requested revisions and hurriedly emailed the article in before the person decided to critique it again. Whew! Done! Praise the Lord...
     Still,I felt a little angry...resentment and bitterness could have set in. But I realized that Satan was trying to use it to "occupy" my mind and emotions. It had been a hard day, but it was over and I was just relieved...too tired to give it much more thought.
     The next morning, God revealed something amazing to me... a spiritual insight  to this experience that I had. He used it to show me what happens or what has happened to churches that have organized and orchestrated worship and services in such a manner that appeals to men and has become accepted and expected by men...tradition. People who settle into the routine of that tradition find it hard to accept change because it doesn't fit into the form that is not wrong, but possibly sterile, predictable, legalistic and unattractive to people who seek a relationship with Christ that is growing, ever-changing...worship of Christ that is nourishing to the spirit...not what the institution and dictates of men declare is proper.
     Religion can strip the life from worship and depress the growth of relationship. It stagnates churches and fuels complacency. It confines fellowship by discouraging those who come in and find little life and freedom. Although that church may operate like a well-oiled machine, it is bound to one operation. Although there is consistency and predictability, the Spirit is quenched. Religion to this extreme stunts a church and it's death comes with those who were bound to it.
     One Scriptural passage comes to mind...Collosians 2:8. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." I believe that becoming stuck in tradition and taking on the appearance of religion is quite possibly "dancing with the devil." It is just what he wants and it is quite effective in killing a church.
     Mankind was created for relationship and worship. In our own earthly relationships, we are not bound to be successful if we are not passionate, do not change, and to not pursue more. If we were to limit our relationships with our spouses to a time constraint of just a couple of hours a week and get upset about exceeding that by a few minutes, what would happen?
     Just a little food for thought...
Be blessed in Jesus' Name,
Angie