The same thing happens when religion becomes faith in faith. People place their confidence in the ‘decision of faith’ they once made. To them, questioning that decision, or doubting its effect, amounts to entertaining the devil himself. Therefore, they cannot, in good conscience, obey 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” It does not matter that the command comes from the Lord Himself. Faith-decisions and faith-experiences carry more authority.
Thus ‘faith’ is placed, not in Christ, but above Christ. When a faith-experience is treated as infallible it becomes, in effect, a god. This god, like any other idol, can only survive by silencing the true God. For example, it must silence His warnings about believers who “fail to meet the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5 cf. Matthew 7:13-21; Acts 19:1-5; Revelation 3:1, 17). In their faith, such a thing is impossible. Scriptures that say otherwise are simply irrelevant. Why? Because faith trumps Scripture. No one, not even God, may stand in judgment on that faith. So, faith grows greater than God Himself. The Lord of the Bible may even diminish to a distant memory—a miracle worker who passed by and handed out tickets to heaven. Having the ticket is all-important. Whoever gave it is not as important, as they testify by their failure to hear and obey Him.
Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46)
They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works (Titus 1:16).