Jesus never pulled punches with the religious leaders of his day. He also didn’t mess around when he warned his followers about the destructive nature of the religious spirit.

The spirit of religion is nasty. But if you’ve ever let your guard down and got tangled up in it, it’s even nastier. In Mark 8:15, Jesus warned us saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

We’ve all probably heard about what the religious spirit of a Pharisee looks like, but what about Herod?

Here’s 4 Characteristics of what the political spirit of Herod looks like:

I. "Call Me Great"

The first mention we see of Herod in the Bible is in our Christmas story. He was known as “Herod The Great.” And like the original Herod, everyone under the influence of this political spirit wants people to “Call Me Great”.

II. Motivated by Power and Position

Like the Herod we read about in the Christmas story, those under this influence will try to take out anyone that seems like competition to their power or position. King Herod got scared when he heard that another king had been born. He ultimately killed every male child under the age of 2 in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas to guard from losing his position.

III. Cares More About What People Think Than What God Thinks

Herod Antipas got caught with his words regarding the beheading of John The Baptist. He knew that John was a holy and righteous man and didn’t want him killed. However, his wife got him caught up and Herod had John beheaded because he cared more for his reputation than doing the right thing.

This can be seen in the two-faced, people pleasing nature of church politics. The right thing gives way to the opinion of the people we want to impress. What’s right loses out to what’s popular.

IV. Intimidation

“At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day, then I’ll be finished.” Luke 13: 31-32

Herod had grabbed the ears of some of the religious elite to try and intimidate Jesus and stop Him in His tracks. He tried to shut Jesus up. That's what this spirit does; it will try to intimidate and manipulate someone who is making waves. Jesus called him a fox. Foxes hate lions. Foxes will use cunning, political moves to intimidate lions. Don’t let this spirit stop you from doing what God is calling you to do!