It's Not Christianity

From Daily Readings by Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

June 11, 2026 · 2 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the difference between true Christianity and a diluted version that lacks the essence of freedom and spiritual warfare.

We've exchanged that great hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers" for a subtle but telling substitute, a song that is currently being taught to thousands of children in Sunday school each week, which goes something like this (sung in a very happy, upbeat tune): I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery, I may never fly over the enemy but I'm in the Lord's army, yes sir! There is no battle and there is no war and there is no Enemy and your life is not at stake and you are not desperately needed this very hour, but you're in the Lord's army. Yes, sir. Doing what? may I ask. The reason I bring this up is that if you want the real deal, if you want the life and freedom that Jesus offers, then you are going to have to break free of this religious fog in particular. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Gal. 5:1). So here's a bottom-line test to expose the Religious Spirit: If it doesn't bring freedom and it doesn't bring life, it's not Christianity. If it doesn't restore the image of God and rejoice in the heart, it's not Christianity. The ministry of Jesus is…

People in this episode

Host: John Eldredge

Topics covered

Christianity
freedom in Christ
religious spirit
spiritual warfare
gospel message

Keywords

Christianity
freedom
religious fog
spirituality
gospel
Jesus
spiritual warfare

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Onward, Christian Soldiers, Acts