Would you like to talk to someone?Click Here! When a person does not know the doctrines of the Christian faith, he can easily be captured by false religions. ~ Warren W. Wiersbe
When I speak of false religions, I want to emphasize that my intention is not to discredit or belittle the individuals who follow these paths. It is essential to acknowledge thatmany people in these religions are genuinely friendly and kind-hearted. However, it is crucial to recognize that what they proclaim may contain elements of partial truth, mixed with falsehoods, or teachings that deviate from the Holy Bible, which is divinely inspired by God and validated by scientific and historical evidence.
Within Christianity, a Wide Array of Denominations Exists, Each With Unique Beliefs And Practices. Although There Are Also Cults To Be Aware Of, Which Are False Religions! Despite These Differences, Christians’ Faith In Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is a common thread. Denominational Distinctions Often Stem From Differing Interpretations Of Scripture And Variations In Religious Rituals!
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Bottom line, many Christian denominations see God as Lord and Savior. Yet, some religions are not based on an accurate, proper interpretation of the Bible, which in that case would be considered an occult or false religion. ~ Bill Greguska
Find out what God’s Word says about your situation and what to do about it ~ click here.
False Religions Even In The “Christian Church”
Who To Believe And Why?
First, I would like to say that each religion (Catholic, Mormon, New Age, Bahá’í Faith, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, etc.) has many kind people involved, yet they are deceived in their beliefs. Being a Christian, God instructs us in Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
So, in love, I would like to take you one step further for their sake and those they influence in their thinking. They follow a wide road they think will lead them to their goal, but they are deceived. To share the Gospelwith them, the next opportunity, do it with love in your heart! If you speak to them disrespectfully or have a condemning attitude toward them, you will never be able to influence them or point them to the Lord.
Perhaps you have encountered Jehovah’s Witnesses; I certainly have had engaging conversations with them. Surprisingly, they were genuinely warm-hearted individuals who diligently studied their belief systems. Yet the problem lies in their adherence to a manufactured version of the Bible rather than relying on the teaching of Jesus Christ and the inspired Word of God found in traditional Christian texts. While it is essential to listen respectfully when conversing with Jehovah’s Witnesses or followers of other faiths deemed “false,” we should also seize such opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel.
Suppose You Firmly Stand Rooted In Your Christian Faith Without Doubt!
In that case, there should be no hesitation in engaging in dialogue with Jehovah’s Witnesses, but have your Bible in hand, for their literature is similar but entirely different. Share your faithwith them, hoping they will learn and understand the truth of God from the Bible. It is never wise to argue over religious differences; it is best to listen and state your Christian beliefs. If the conversation goes no further, maybe pick it up another time or let it go. Ask God for wisdom to know what to do. ~Bill Greguska
Are False Religions A Problem?
Even though they are occult, Jehovah’s Witnesses do one thing that many Christian friends of mine do not do: go out in pairs and share their faith (even though it is not Biblical). In practice, many Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior would benefit from learning one practice of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
When two Jehovah’s Witnesses come to your door, after watching this video below, you can ask them two critical questions and share a vital scripture. I encourage you to welcome a Jehovah’s Witness to talk with them whenever possible, but do not let them control the conversation. Be friendly to them and show them respect since God created them just like God created you. Hopefully, you can plant seeds to prompt them to think about their salvation.
What Are 3 False Teachings In Churches To Avoid?
List Of False Religions:
Christian Science–
The Founder is Mary Baker Eddy, who plagiarized others’ ideas and writings to write “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses –
Distributors of Watchtower magazine. The founder, Charles Russell, was a man of questionable character. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle charged him with fraudulent activities. In 1913, his wife sued for divorce on the grounds of adultery, conceit, egotism, and domination.
Mormonism
(also called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)—Many claim that the Book of Mormon is based on a novel called “Manuscript Found.”
Joseph Smith claimed that the Book of Mormon was a new revelation based on his translation of the Golden Plates, which he found in 1827 on a hill near Palmyra. Following the translation, these plates were allegedly taken up to Heaven. There are no reliable witnesses to the existence of these plates. Since its first edition in 1830, there have been 2,000 changes to the alleged revelation from God. A Holy Book with 2000 Mistakes!
Children of God
(renamed “The Family”) Founded by Spiritist David Berg. A profoundly sad and perverse organization with children forced into sexual acts with adults, with ongoing emotional damage. Stay well clear of this group. It’s time to stay well away whenever you hear of a Sect promoting un-Biblical sexual acts. “Children of Satan” would be a better name.
Church of Scientology
(founded by Ron J Hubbard, who allegedly profited from his writings). Several celebrities, including John Travolta and Tom Cruise, are Scientologists. Sadly, John and Tom don’t yet understand the reality of what Jesus Christ has done for them and, unfortunately, would prefer to follow the teachings of a cunning conman who will lead them to hell.
Shinto
Taoism
Judaism
The New Age Movement
Divine Light Mission
Hare Krishna Movement
Transcendental Meditation ( from foundations in Hindu teachings )
(1) Buddhist scriptures attributed to its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, were written approximately 400 years after his death. The fact that Buddhism had split into opposing sects at the time of writing means there is no confirmation that these were Gautama’s words.
(2) The Buddhist teachings are attributable to one man, so if he’s wrong, the whole religion is false. There are no independent witnesses to the revelation. The Book of Mormon suffers the same problem.
Hinduism
Islam…
(Followers are Muslims (or Muslims) -Islam is a major world religion with over 500 million followers worldwide. Mohammed is their prophet, born in AD570 in Mecca. Mohammed received frightening revelations in a cave in Mount Hira during AD610, which became the basis of the Koran (Qur’an). Of concern was that Muhammed had violent seizures and foaming at the mouth during this period. These revelations may have been demonic. Sadly, Muslims fail to acknowledge Jesus Christas central to salvation.
Mohammed is a false prophet. Salvation is through Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for our sins on the cross, not by following the teachings in the Koran or Allah, a false god. Don’t be deceived and misled by this religion. Many Muslims are very earnest and devout, but sadly, they miss the joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ. If Muslims worshiped the same God as Christians, why is there hatred toward Christians worldwide? The reason is that they don’t worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and all Christians.
Jesus warned us that “false Christs and false prophets” will come and attempt to deceive even God’s elect (Matthew 24:23-27; see also 2 Peter 3:3 and Jude 17-18). Knowing the truth is the best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false teachers. To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing. Any believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and carefully studies the Bible can identify false doctrine. For example, a believer who has read the activities of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:16-17 will immediately question any doctrine that denies the Trinity. Therefore, step one is to study the Bible and judge all teachings by what the Scripture says.
Have You Heard Of False Religions? How To Recognize False Teachers?
I’m often asked to assess what others teach. I do not do this lightly, but it is necessary. Before reading this page, or any of the pages about specific people, I recommend that you read What a False Teacher?, which explains what the Bible says about false teachers and why I would bother to research who they are and what they say.
Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. ~ Charles Spurgeon
Name, Group, or Idea: False
Teachings
Arnold Murray (Shepherd’s Chapel)
British Israelism, annihilation, pre-existence, modalism, serpent seed, and more
Why Should We Expose False Religion? Have You Heard Of False Religions?
Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:
1 John 4:1 ESV
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2 Peter 2:1 ESV
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
Matthew 7:15 ESV
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Is Christianity The True Religion?
Christianity, a religion that begins and ends with the person and work of Jesus Christ, is the only religion in the world to regard man’s eternal salvation as a pure gift of God, without any human merit, work, or worthiness.
As Christians, we believe there is one true and living God who made the world and made Himself known to it. We reject any naturalistic or evolutionary approaches to religion that view religion as a product of man’s imagination. For Christians, a study of religion is the study of the true Godwho has revealed Himself to men.
1) Christianity Is Exclusive.
We are convinced by the testimony of the Bible and the historical claims made in Scripture that the true God exists and desires that all people know Him rightly and worship Him as the only true God. To know God is life, and to be without Him is eternal death.
Therefore, relativistic views of religion that deny the possibility of one true God are utterly incompatible with Christianity. Christianity is exclusive. Either Christianity is the true religion, or it is not.
2) Christianity Is Grounded In History.
Because Christianity is a historical faith, grounded in human history, Christians are not concerned with the inner psyche of man as a source of truth, nor with studying how he came to be religious, as if the imagination of men satisfactorily answers questions about man’s origin and his purpose in the world.
We believe that God has revealed Himself in history and made His will known to humanity, Muslims. Once religion gets out of the imagination and into reality, one can test the claims of Christianity against reason and history. Hence, Christianity sees itself grounded in real history and not in pious opinion or myth.
3) Christianity Isn’t About You.
For anyone new to Christianity, who is looking to see how Christianity is different from other world religions, they should see here that Christianity is about Christ, who loved us and saved us, without any merit or worthiness in us, without any work that we have done, without any preparation on our part. St. Paul writes, “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
4) Christianity Is An Uneven Exchange.
Christianity is about a marvelous and happy exchange, wherein Christ takes our poverty, sin, weakness, foolishness, and sorrow and gives us His riches, righteousness, power, wisdom, and joy. The Christian faith is unlike any other religion. Every other religion says, “Work; pray; do this; do that.” But Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
This post is based on The Christian Difference: An Explanation and Comparison of World Religions.
