A fundamental aspect of overcoming the religious mindset involves viewing all aspects of life through the lens of Christ as the divine measure and pattern of thinking and acting. This encompasses our understanding of creation, history, culture, tradition, identity, relationships, ministry, business, family, leadership, governance, and every other aspect of human existence. When we fail to filter our perceptions and judgments through this Christ-centered lens, we become vulnerable to the distortions of the religious [mindset] spirit.

This spirit is particularly adept at using personal experiences, especially religious ones, as channels through which it defines and interprets life. More critically, these experiences become the framework through which individuals view God, their spirituality, and by extension their interpretation of their assignments.

This creates what the scripture warns about in Colossians 2:8, "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."

The religious spirit employs sophisticated methods of control and manipulation. It often establishes its authority through seemingly innocent means – using good works, prayers, fasting, hospitality, and benevolence as vehicles to gain confidence and legitimacy. This mirrors the warning in Matthew 7:15 about false prophets who "come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

Once established, this spirit positions itself as the authoritative voice of God over various spheres – be it geographical, institutional, or spiritual. It creates systems of control that can be both overt and subtle, using what might be termed as both "hard" and "soft" power. This can include financial influence, social pressure, and spiritual manipulation, often leading to what Paul described in Galatians 5:1 as a "yoke of slavery."