Do you have a history of being raised or trained in religious legalism? In this video, I want to share some steps that can be helpful for your healing process. For more insights, go to markdejesus.com
Condemnation, guilt, fear, legalism and obsessive religousness, perfectionism and worry caused me to have a massive break down last year consisting of panic artacks and anxiety and confusion. I have been a christian for as long as I can remember, gave my life to the Lord at 8 years old, grew up with harsh upbringing of a strict father, who disciplined harshly and did not affirm a healthy identity in me. I Thought I was going to go to hell every night and would spend hours praying and begging God not to send me there. Thought God was always telling me harsh things and so I thought I just needed to try harder. I then became more hard on myself and on others, which made my self esteem break. My thoughts became dark. Then when my marriage ended that was almost like the last straw, I definitely needed to try harder then and prove to God that I wouldn't make that mistake again and that I'd make it up to him. It has been a scary and painful experience. I began to have dark thoughts and dreams, it almost felt like I was stuck in a bit. I felt like the Lord had stopped talking to me and that the Holy Spirit had left. But September last year was the first time I learned about the true meaning of grace. Coming out of condemnation, legalism and religousness has been the scariest experience of my life, doubted if I was saved, struggled to recieve the truth in my heart until I finally chose to trust the truth of the gospel regardless of my feelings and rest in Christ Jesus my Lord and Saviour. This video has encouraged me so much, I felt like I was still trying to make sure I was doing enough to make sure I was walking in grace and not religion, which defeats the whole point. I felt alittle stuck, not sure what to do next or who to listen to, scared id listen to the wrong information and set myself back again. But thanks be to God our Father, who I'm still learning to see as father and who I desire to connect with in a different way now and believing it's possible. This video let's me know that it's a process I'm going through and to try not be so hard on myself. God bless
I feel the same way at the moment, I feel I see God too much through the lense of fear (the bad kind). I see Him like He's a God of wrath, and not a God of grace and mercy. I am on a journey as God has shown me this for a while now. Let's do this together! 💞
@@beeesauce5362 Amen! It's a beautiful journey, can feel scary but when we choose to just trust and believe in Him and his word regardless of how we feel, and regardless of what our thoughts are screaming by his grace we will overcome...and we have over come because we believe in the Lord Jesus as the Son of God (1john 1:5)..God bless
Oh my goodness, thank you for this testimony. This is exactly what I m going through. I backslid and then when I stopped I started listening to a preacher - that I didn't know was a legalist at first- and he interpreted the scripture with condemnation for sinning and fear of hell. I had never been afraid of hell when I got saved until then. I've been going through the valley of the shadow of death for a couple of years trying to get the leaven out of the loaf until I worry myself sick and stagnant everyday. With God's grace I will get through. Thank you for sharing, God bless you.
Someone on this thread so conviently left out the very next verse of Jesus: "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father but through Him. Not by trying to keep the law. The law points to Christ. The greatest commandment is LOVE, and on it hang ALL the law and the prophets, Matthew 10:26-29. ❤ Rest in the freedom in Christ and in His love. Not the yoke of bondage. Blessings dear saints. ❤
God used this video to save my life! If God was planning to hurt me and forsake me, then why did He save me this 3 billion times already?!?! The devil is a liar!!!!
@@realityisbest8963But love is having a pure heart. A pure hearted man operating in the love of God always keeps Gods commandments. They don’t need rules , they naturally keep them because they are operating in the Holiness of God. If you aren’t keeping His commandments that’s an indicator that you are very far away from having the Love of God in your heart.
I'm so grateful for this... Being OCD and getting caught up into a legalistic church have poisoned me so much. I'm grateful for this season though because it's brought out the wounds and ocd within me so that God can heal, similar to what Mark went through
Lord brought me here, i asked him why i am running on empty i need grace and why i am not yielding to the Holy Ghost. He answered me when i stopped talking through a book i opened and it said legalism. Lord you save me ❤️
Praise God for this teaching. I thought that I had overcome the legalism of my past, but God has now shown me that I still have a way to go to experience more freedom, especially from being motivated by guilt. Thank you so much Mark.
So important! It’s a journey not a destination. That means it will take time, consistency, determination and effort. There are no quick fixes. I have spent most of my life looking for the “short cut.” God has designed your life and my life to be a journey not a destination.
Thankful I came acrossed Mark's channel. I am 35 & have spent my life under extreme legalistic religious guilt & condemnation due to my upbringing. I am working with a therapist to sort through my diagnosis of PTSD/panic . Alot of it I am learning; were from spiritual abuse . I am on a journey of seeking god for myself and I want healing so bad from all the fear Instilled in me. Prayers for me that god will be revealed to me as a loving father and I would begin to see the truth and find grace, mercy and love . Lord jesus, break my bondage & the distorted thinking. In jesus name
62 years old, same boat. SOO happy to find freedom! "The GRACE of God (NOT the reprimand of God)...teaches us...to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, that we should live soberly, righteously, etc." A lot of people don't realize that when the prodigal son said, "I will say to my father I have sinned against heaven and against thee," that Pharaoh repeatedly said that to Moses. Jesus was talking to the Jews, so they no doubt caught on to the non-/untrue non-deep repentance; yet the Father freely forgave and loved; and it was THIS that caused true, deep repentance and brokenness. Does this knowledge make a person want to sin more? Which leads to a more holy and closer life to Jesus, relationship or guilt? Anyway, I am just overcome with the new revelation of God's love after all these years. It was Dan Mohler & Graham Cooke who were a lifeline of grace for me in the recent years; now I'm going to start listening to this guy's teaching, which is different from preaching. Very glad that I have discovered him. How is your new life coming along???
@marktdejesus Hey Mark, i think what you teach is great, and you do have Gods heart. But i have one question for you. Gods 4th commandment is to remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. And the sabbath day (Gods worship day) is Saturday not sunday, do you think it legalism to keep the right worship day? Do you keep the sabbath?
My extended family is legalistic, I was the target after being saved. Once I separated myself as much as possible from said family members and making healthier boundaries with myself and relationships without being bitter in my faith. I can still love from a far even if it makes them annoyed and frustrated I'm not around, but I no longer hear how my salvation is un pure or not good enough because of 'XYZ'. Def getting in a better place since and healing. 🙏
I love you so much Mark. I am so grateful to God for your teaching on God's true love that produces the best out of us. I lived in a very toxic legalistic household for the past 2 years and I have been struggling to clearly understand Gods love and acceptance of me. These teachings remind me and help me that God's love is unconditional for me and not conditional for me. I am loved regardless if I do wrong or right in my life. I have been told that I was a demon because I struggled with particular sins in my life and I was told to go to hell from my own parents. It is so painful but I know I struggle everyday with sin but God tells me I will be ok, He loves me, to move forward, do my best and I am his child even when I slip up at times. Thanks for this teaching.
God chose you before the world was created, and called you by name. His thoughts towards you are more than the sands of the sea. He is all-knowing, omniscient, and knew 'what he was getting into' before he chose you. He knew every decision you would make even before he called you. He had no illusions of you, therefore he cannot become disillusioned about you. He is not up there scratching his head saying, "Oh, that Candace! I don't know what I'm going to do with her, I'm so frustrated!" No, he know exactly how to fix your wagon. I would suggest when you repent to say things like this, " THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! God, for your great love and forgiveness! Thank you, that you are growing me up into all things in you (Eph.5 or 6) and that you are strengthening me in all things, growing me up in you, empowering me to overcome this sin." May I suggest you add Dan Mohler and Graham Cooke to your go-to video preachers, as well as this man. Remember, growth is a slow process, in patience you possess your soul. Do not become discouraged. God is not discouraged with you
yes devil tells me i was lukewarm after being saved, I only was working out what the old testament said, but took me a week to look it up, I ALWAYS BELIEVED JESUS IS LORD AND GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD,devil trying to condemn me on stumbling after saved and ALL BIBLE WORDS,but my first love has always been to LOVE JESUS AND HE BEING THE SAVIOR AND HE IS LORD,MAN,the devil uses Gods words to hurt me, to condemn me, and i guess he does that to many many people
Thanks Mark. Timely word for me. The kindness of Papa God almost always startles my sceptical heart. It's constantly a fresh surprise to discover in moments of sight that God, being Love, is kind, gracious, and relational above all else.
My mom was very strict when I was a child. I was not allowed to watch Harry Potter. As a 30 year old woman, my mom still says I should not watch it and she lectures me. She is against me listening to Bethel, hillsong etc bc of their doctrine. She also approaches people with repent or hell rather than Grace. She has convinced me Jesus is coming and America is doomed for destruction in November. I live so anxiously and wish I could experience joy. 😔
She was probably raised by the same teaching and mentality, too. She does what has been shaped within her. We are blessed to have God send someone like Mark DeJesus to free us from that legalistic and religious OCD mindset. Let's now ask God how to be a similar blessings to others.
@@roxannaortiz4009 I agree. Its just difficult that she picks and chooses what sins are acceptable. I am curious why christians are for the lion the witch and the wardrobe but against Harry Potter. Both books are quite mystical. And both have similar endings. Sacrifice of ones life for love. Just because you slap a christian label on it makes it good. Thats my thinking...and when you are raised with this concept its easy to start judging yourself and others with biased notions and eventually you miss out on a relationship with Christ because criticism overshadows love. 😔 I want to learn to love me and others.
Hi Arielle. I completely understand your frustration, however coming from experience Witchcraft films / Bethel / Hillsong can open doors to the enemy and take a lot of work to close. Your Mother just wants you to be safe. We have a very short time here on this earth (not as short as November) but it's still short. It's less about fear and more about discernment and the truth. Your Mother has discernment.
When my father in law (who was a Pastor) passed away, the house of cards of my religious legalism fell down and crushed me to the ground. I've been angry and disappointed at God and wasn't able to navigate through my resentment, until I came upon your message. You're shining a light on my darkness and I thank you deeply for your authenticity on these harsh topics. I hope one day I'll find the will to reconcile with God.
But you can’t just break Gods commandments here and there and here and still claim you are right with Him. Jesus taught commandments aren’t those rules ?
That scripture that says " be you perfect as the father is perfect" that one really keeps me doubting myself.36 yrs. Born again, bible meditating, two way conversationalist with Father God ,his Son and the Holy Spirit. !
I wanna thank you for these videos. You may not have a lot of followers or views but never stop preaching the good word. We love you! Thank you and God bless!!!
I just don't know how you don't have at least a million subscribers! Mark, what you're sharing is truly revolutionary, and my life will never be the same. Out of desperation, I looked up performance-based Christianity and your video came up and as they say, the rest is history. I am 51 years old and after years and years of unspeakable pain and bondage to self-hatred, low self-esteem, guilt, shame, condemnation, lack of confidence, severe, severe anxiety, panic attacks, chronic insomnia, approval addiction, people pleasing, lack of purpose, brokenness relationships, religious legalism, rejection and all kinds of fear, the light of God's love is finally breaking through. I see it NOW, I am truly free. It is a new day for me. I have stepped out of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual torment into the glorious liberty of the love, mercy, and grace of my heavenly Father. I don't know where I go from here exactly, but I have left my prison and the chains that once held me in defeat. I used to look at people who were free and living a life of purpose in the love of God and wonder if that could ever be me. Well, today I declare that I am on my way to that life I once only dreamt of. I have fought a long, long, extremely difficult exhausting battle with legalism, performance-based living, perfectionism, guilt, self-condemnation, self-hatred, rejection, anxiety, panic attacks, fear, and insomnia. The fight isn't completely over because I recognize it's a journey. But I am well on my way to experiencing the abundant life my heavenly Father has for me. The fight was so worth it and I wouldn't trade a year of the pain I endured to get out of bondage for a second of living in bondage for the rest of my life. Thank you for fighting those battles you did to live free rather than to stay in bondage because your freedom also means my freedom! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I also pray that my freedom will one day bring freedom to those in similar situations. One life transformed by the love of God has the potential to bring many out of darkness, this is my prayer.God bless your family and ministry! ❤🌹🎉🎁
I do not have WORDS to express to you how thankful I am for producing this video! Thank you, God!! You must have gone through so much spiritual manipulation/toxic religious upbringing to be able to explain and identify these principles so well. I'm sorry you have gone through this, but I am so thankful the Lord has used you to help more people break out of this bondage. I understood everything from the bottom of my soul and feel much freer already! Thank you thank you thank youuuuuu!!!!!!! God bless you and continue to heal & use you!
Hi there! I'm new to this channel. I've seen about two of your videos and I now think I have Religious OCD. On top of that, I have a legalism imprint from my upbringing. So that's super cool. Thanks for the tips on healing. I need to learn Love, Grace, and Mercy.
This is so good. I grew up in a very legalistic environment and it has invaded so many areas of my life. I find myself operating like this in my earthly relationships as well. I started learning more about grace a few years ago and I'm on a journey to healing pervasive anxiety and fear.
I need help. I am currently a member of the worship in my church. The bad thing is: the Pastor and whole church expect me to NEVER wear makeup, pants, jewelry, hair dye, never dye my hair or cut it. They go so far with these rules saying it’s part of being “holy”. They expect me to wear long sleeves all the time I am at church. They want me to wear skirts and dresses 4 fingers below my knees, to wear closed toe shoes, and have my necklines cover my collarbone. I feel overwhelmed because they have given me the opportunity to sing at church but I am also sad because of all these RULES.
I’ll say this…. God Himself is the author of beauty and creativity. God dresses the earth with beautiful forests, flowers, mountainous terrain, and bright green rolling hills. The stars, galaxies, and the universe is also an expression of His beauty and creativity. Women are also part of that equation. If I were you I’d leave that church and find one that accepts people as they are. Even God Himself cannot order us to do anything. We have God given free will. It’s the love He has shown us that draws us to obedience.
Aww man ? Just know that that's not how God wants you to dress, see Jesus told us to look at the flowers when worried about clothing and not all the flowers look the same? They don't wear uniforms ? They are vibrant and beautiful . Ofcourse God expects us to be modest but that doesn't mean we would all wear just uniforms Look at the massive diversity God has shown in His creation . He loves you and wants you to be free.
May I ask if you followed through with all the rules? I also attend a church exactly like this, upci church. I’m constantly conflicted about all the rules and expectations.
Thank you so much for your videos. I have been in a rough spot and I prayed for wisdom and I came across your page. I have never listened to a pastor who I can relate to and understand as much as you. Truly blessed to have come across your channel
I’m directing everyone who needs help to you God is so using you Praise God this is amazing Freeing so many from fear and torment into the amazing love of JESUS You have blessed me thank you
Thank you so much for this video. It's a sigh of relief as I am reminded to keep the relationship aspect of my walk in mind when I'm in these types of head spaces.
Praise God for this teaching the Holy Spirit has given you for us who walk in this darkness. You are amazing brother in Christ thank you Jesus, and thank you brother
Wow Mark this one hit home. It’s gonna be hard and long but with God I can get there. Thanks brother! Please pray for me because this legalism in my life has really destroyed me and those around me
God bless you in Jesus’ name, brother. I’ve had OCD for as long as i can remember (got worse as an adult ) and it warms me to see a community of people here that have struggled with the same things. After listening to you and MUCH daily prayer, i honestly feel like a child again. There’s a familiar feeling that i can’t describe but almost draws me back to when i was a kid and didn’t have as much to feel guilt over. Feels as though shackles that I’ve placed on myself are falling and God is smiling watching me come out of this religious bondage I’ve been in for so long. My OCD is so much less prevalent and it feels so exhilarating and free. Thank you for what you do!
I think that so many churches teach legalism without knowing they are doing it. They teach from a rule book and not the book of grace and they have no clue they are doing it. Then there are ministers and church leaders who know they are doing it. So, if you have been raised in these churches you grow up with this mentality. Then by the time you get older and realize that you were taught a false doctrine, where everything is a sin, you have a hard time adjusting. You know it's wrong, but you still think you've sinned, because you broke a rule of the church, they said was biblical. And you continue to live as if that rule is biblical when it was never that, because it is so engrained in you to think it's sin.
Oh this has been such a problem for me. Believers, please pray that I will not be lead by guilt but be lead by the love of Our Lord Jesus. I’m struggling so bad. I have had to cut out family members who have been the support system my whole life due to recognizing unhealthy enmeshment.
May Jesus Christ free you from that guilt and heal you with respect to the family members you had to separate from as well as what actually caused the separation. In His name, amen
My pastor criticized privately things I have posted on Facebook. He’s afraid I may hurt someones feelings. He even told me I spelled a word wrong. 😦 I have sensitive heart and all that criticism makes me cry and not want to post anymore. 😭
We are saved by grace through repentance which is the consequence of faith. If I'm a true believer my first motive is not to use grace to get away with as much sin as I can, but to serve Jesus as my Lord. Grace does not mean we are allowed to live as we please; it means by the power of Christ, we can and will desire to please God..
I was born and raised in an Assembly of God Pentecostal church where everything was a sin. Growing up, I often experienced butterflies in my stomach when going to church because I knew I was going to get my spiritual beating every time the pastor would get in the pulpit and yell and scream about "the last days" or the "second coming" as if it was going to happen immediately, and if you "weren't ready" you'd be cast into hell. There was plenty of fear, guilt, and shame and I always felt like I was unworthy to be "saved", and would constantly be thinking I was a "sinner". When you're a very young boy, it's hard to process all of that condemnation and feel free. The sad thing is they didn't realize the damage they were doing , and kept screaming and yelling about sin and punishment. I've since left that kind of preaching and had to find a God of love and mercy that really wanted to bless me and be my friend. God bless you for this video and others I've seen you teach, keep preaching the truth and freeing people from their guilt and fear.
yea. my girlfriend is really legalistic. i am trying to convince her that she is free to get an abortion but the christians at her church are so legalistic. any suggestions on how in can convincer her of her freedom in christ?
Sometimes, though, I must take responsibility for the fact that my environment cannot take the place of how hard I am on myself and the harsh way that I interpret Biblical truths and boundaries. Sometimes, when God or my wise counsel tells me 'No' or 'You're not ready' or 'You cannot have this now', I can't just accept it without feeling some kind of unworthiness. And it is an unreasonable unworthiness, because everything that I don't get, I automatically link it back to what I did. Sometimes, shame and legalism can cover a striving spirit. And for me, it is not an entitlement issue. I know that nothing in my life was owed to me. I am alive and breathing by pure grace. I have a strong, healthy family by God's grace. I did nothing to earn or deserve it. But sometimes, because I have a stable upbringing, I feel disappointed in myself when I don't have something to show for the great foundation I have. So that harshness with myself and that striving spirit ready to punish myself needs to be obliterated.
@@hiyori2846 My words weren't very clear. I meant that shame and legalism can the result of a striving spirit and vice versa. When you feel that shaming yourself as well as others will get results or at least keep you from facing the reality and pain of growth, you tend to default to that. And vice versa, when you are used to being shamed for certain things you do, you feel the need to strive and try to be perfect in order to get approval and to feel safe. But all of that keeps you from being your true self and achieving honest growth. I hope I explained it better 👍🏾
the devil tells me each day, THAT GOD IS LEGAL ,JUST WORDS,CONDMENING AND COLD, BUT THE LORD JESUS IS USING YOU TO HELP US BREAK FREE OF THE DEVILS WORDS
Do you have any videos on how to deal with a legalistic loved one. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be setting better boundaries. Or how to be Christlike toward someone who is so judgmental?
Hey last years i got really legalistic but idk how to repent or i don't even know if i can be forgiven anymore. I feel like i can't go to God anymore in repentence.
Been there too. But you said you FEEL you cant go to God anymore. Dont trust your feelings cause they get destroyed in legalism. Trust Gods Word, study and meditate on scriptures that assure us of Gods love for you, His forgiveness if we repent. Choose the Word over your mind and heart until you are healed, because you cant trust them when u are coming out of legalism
Hey, I have problem. Im 19 yr old man. I dont know it is God telling me, the enemy or myself. I first felt fear about plucking eyebrows in the middle about a year ago. I didnt know it was God or the enemy. I felt fear it is a sin, but I didn’t believe it was a sin. Then I let it go or promised I wouldn’t do it again, not sure. Then I felt peace for about a week. Then same happened with shaving my beard, trimming nails, etc. That all is confusing me. It happens also when I am on instagram and whatever bible verse there is it says let it go, it is sin, then other thoughts become positive saying you have been lied to it was a sin, devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Sometimes positive sometimes negative. It is all confusing to me. Even thoughts of blaspheming the Holy Spirit came in mind, that if I believe it is not a sin that I will go to hell. Like… I really dont want to blaspheme God or the Holy Spirit. Can I do all these things? Is God telling me not to do something or is he allowing me or it is the enemy or myself. Forgot to mention, when I read article about collosians 2:20-23 I think, I felt immediate peace and joy, even started laughing of peace. Can it be God is saying to me I can do all these things and those are not a sin?
I’m going through the same thing. I get rid of one thing and then it’s another. I come from a Pentecostal back ground. If I don’t do it I feel punished I need this answered too. I have no peace, when I do it I get peaceful for a week then it’s a new thing I don’t think this is God I believe it’s a legalistic demon.
The enemy wants to keep us confused and distracts us from God. God never obsesses or worries. God looks at the heart while man looks at the outward appearance. I don’t believe it’s God.
