There are many who have been deeply wounded by religion—by legalism, spiritual abuse, manipulation, or even cult-like control. Some have walked away from faith altogether, believing that God Himself was the source of their suffering. If that’s you, I want you to know something foundational: God is not against you.
God’s True Nature
The true and living God is not the one who harmed you. People, in their brokenness, may have misrepresented Him. But that is not His heart. When God introduced Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6, He said:
“I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness.” (NLT)
Notice what God emphasizes—His mercy, His grace, His patience, His unfailing love. This is His nature. This is who He has always been.
Many have been taught a version of God that is unrecognizable from the One revealed in Scripture. They’ve encountered judgment without grace, condemnation without restoration, control without compassion. But the real God is not out to destroy you; He is out to redeem you. Even when He brings correction, it is not in the spirit of malevolence, but in love—to reconcile, to heal, to bring you into the fullness of who He created you to be.
Insidiousness of Evil
However, the insidiousness of evil is that it will use any construct—including religion—and twist it for its agenda. Throughout history, people have done truly wicked things in God's name, but their actions were never a reflection of His nature. This distortion leaves many traumatized with a skewed perspective of who God truly is, causing them to reject Him while still longing for something greater than themselves.
In today's world, many have turned away from God and instead place their faith in the universe, attributing all goodness in their lives to a created thing rather than the Creator. This shift is not just a philosophical change—it is a form of idolatry. The universe is not personal, it does not hear prayers, nor does it dispense blessings. It is a created entity, subject to the will of its Maker. Yet, the enemy is subtle, leading people to redirect their worship away from the true and living God to something lesser, something impersonal, something that cannot save.
Music that Inspires: God Is Not Against Me
The song God Is Not Against Me by Elevation Worship captures this truth so beautifully:
This is not my fight, You are my defense
You hold my life, this is my confidence
You're in it with me and working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me
God is not standing over you with a hammer, waiting for you to mess up. He is standing beside you, ready to lift you up. He fights for you. He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Even in your doubts, your struggles, and your questions, He is not pushing you away—He is drawing you near.
God Is Not Against Me (Jonsal Barrientes & Tiffany Hudson) | Elevation Worship
You cannot watch the video in the newsletter, please click the the link in the video box to watch on YouTube.
Lyrics
You call me strong and courageous
When I don't feel like I am
You could have turned me away
But You chose me instead
You say that I'm gonna make it
When I don't feel like I can
You see the battle I'm facing
And You're stepping in
[Chorus]
You're in it with me and working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me
You're in it with me, working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me
[Verse 2]
I have a new revelation
A savior who calls me His friend
Oh, I used to fight on my own
But never again, oh no
'Cause I have a power that's greater
Than all of the enemy's lies
And I know the truth of the Gospel
That You're on my side, You're on my side
Oh
[Chorus] 2x
You're in it with me and working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me
You're in it with me, working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me, oh
Oh, oh, oh
[Interlude]
I see You moving
I see You working
God is not against me, yeah (Oh)
He's fighting for you
He's always with you
Come on and sing this
[Bridge] 2x
This is not my fight, You are my defense
You hold my life, this is my confidence
You are by my side, You have called me friend
You hold my life, this is my confidence
[Chorus] 2x
You're in it with me and working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me
You're in it with me, working through me
Fighting for me, God is not against me, oh
[Bridge] 2x
This is not my fight, You are my defense
You hold my life, this is my confidence
You are by my side, You have called me friend
You hold my life, this is my confidence
[Outro]
You are
Yeah
God is not against me, yeah
Oh
Oh-oh
God is not against me, yeah
Conclusion
If you have been hurt by religion, my prayer is that you won’t reject God because of people’s failures. Take a fresh look at who He really is. Let Him reintroduce Himself to you, just as He did to Moses. You may find that the God you thought was against you has actually been for you all along.
Let me know how this post impacts your life. Leave a comment below.