Influential Spirits

Clubs

Clubs refuse to accept our mission.

to share that Christ’s blood was remission for sin.

She teaches “our righteousness” can earn our reprieve,

But, Salvation is gifted to those who believe!

 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Based on Colossians 2:8 NIV

Kesha’s Testimony

I have a friend who told me her marriage may have ended because when she and her husband prayed together, she quoted Bible scriptures that applied only to his problems and deficiencies. She believed that he felt unworthy of God’s love because she constantly measured him by and beat him with the Word. We call this club behavior.

Here is another example: A lady in our church who was going through a difficult time started participating in support groups, and had testified how her mood had been improving. Well, a sister who was privy to this information, was giving a short talk for Women’s Day and mentioned that the joy of the Lord is our strength and that joy should be all that we need; support groups are unnecessary (the young lady was in the audience). Needless to say that the sister to whom she was referring felt attacked and unsupported.

Jennifer’s Testimony

Once I was sitting in the sanctuary, waiting for service to start. I was watching and waving at people as they entered, when all of a sudden, a certain lady came up to me, shoved a safety pin in my face, and loudly announced, with no apparent regard to my feelings, “You need to cover yo body!” My skirt had a side slit in it that she apparently found troubling. As she walked away with her nose held high, I checked the slit, saw that there was no need for concern, and tucked the pin into my purse.

Had I been immature, I could have been deeply wounded by this incident. At that moment I was simply being social; exposing my leg for attention was the furthest thing from my mind. Remember, ladies, there’s a difference between boldness and rudeness. When there is a legitimate—the key word being legitimate, not assumed or presumed—need to rebuke a person, it should be done with a spirit of love and meekness. Think about how you might feel in the same situation, because at some point you will need correction yourself. We all appreciate basic dignity and respect, even when we are being corrected.

Description and Attributes

In ancient times, clubs were used as weapons, and that is exactly how the devil uses this type of woman—as a weapon. Clubs know most of the scriptures that apply to righteous living, and they can’t wait to tell you about your shortcomings. Clubs use the Word to try to convince others to live to the letter of the Law of Moses. Her intent is to make you feel guilty enough to change your behavior. The club constantly reminds you that the wages of sin are death, but doesn’t give any advice or scriptural references, for that matter, on how to resist temptation and avoid sin. Clubs don’t communicate that it is God’s grace and mercy working internally that draw believers close to Him.

A club will cite scriptures to reinforce her actions or decisions; mostly, she will twist the Word of God to combat anyone who disagrees with her. After all, who would argue with God? A prime example is the woman who reworks John 8:32, which states that the truth will make you free. This verse refers to obedience to Jesus’ teachings, but the club sees it as giving her permission to say whatever comes to her mind without taking another person’s feelings into consideration. She doesn’t wait for God to lead and direct her steps; she marches to the beat of Satan’s drum, all in the name of “truth.” She uses God’s Word as an offensive attack to keep everyone in line.

Clubs are not willing to listen to problems and will attack people for wavering in their faith or for being discouraged. For example, if someone is talking about an issue, a club will interrupt with “everything happens for a reason,” and begin reciting “fruit of the Spirit” attributes or making “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” speeches. Oh and please don’t say, “But …” You can’t say butter, button, or butler without clubs interjecting, “But God.” They fail to realize that when a person is pouring out her heart, a listening ear is all too important.

I know a person who is extremely self-righteous. She is always talking about how others need to be dedicated, faithful, and focused on God, but she has a bad attitude and runs people from the church with her behavior. When guests come in the church—and she knows they are struggling with their commitment to Christ—she stands and begins testifying that everybody needs to “get right.” She has no clue that leading others to Christ is not all about words; it is about lovingly guiding people back to God. She also gives carnal advice and doesn’t apply the scriptures correctly.—TH

Clubs usually were saved at a young age and, at least in their opinion, haven’t strayed very far from church. For instance, a club will boast about how she never frequented bars or drank alcohol, but doesn’t acknowledge that she has a haughty spirit, which God hates. Her iniquity and sin cannot be readily seen, which has made her extremely self-righteous. Clubs are more interested in a semblance of righteousness, visible from the outside, than a change from the inside out. They will condemn anything that is not about church. They believe that if you attend a social gathering instead of a midweek service, you are not fulfilling your responsibility to God and, therefore, you are not worthy of God’s attention or love. A club is not interested in a Christ-filled heart. The club wants a full church, a full Bible study, and a full choir because this shows that people love God. But, God looks on the heart of man, and he sees if our actions are genuine.

You could look past these faults to see her needs. But then again you can’t, because she has no needs—at least, not in her eyes. She does, however, have the cure to all your ills. She is totally blind to her own faults. She conveniently forgets about her unrighteous behavior; past or present. But sister, she is always willing to put your business on Front Street, all under the guise of Christian boldness.

The woman who is influenced by this destructive spirit needs to recognize that club behavior renders Christians useless for God’s service. God doesn’t condemn us; rather, he convicts our hearts in order for us to repent and return to our first love, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we sat and thought about all of the wrong that we have done, how could we spread the Good News about his love and mercy? Our past sins are a testament to how worthy we are through him.

A club is not interested in a Christ-filled heart

Identifying Features

Clubs can be any age; anyone can allow herself to become self-righteous. Clubs are Sunday school teachers; wives of pastors, ministers, or deacons; ministers themselves; or faithful church members. You will find them complaining about people’s level of commitment to the church rather than focusing on ways to spread the Gospel to nonbelievers.

Warning

This spirit requires admiration and feels that she is entitled to favorable treatment. She places herself above everyone else, and she will not want you in her presence if she doesn’t feel your devotion. Her self-professed discernment and knowledge causes her to offer advice without knowing the entire situation. If you don’t take her advice, she will interpret that to mean that you don’t respect her and therefore will decide you are not worthy of her attention.