December 10 | Standing Against False Religions
John 14:6, “Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
False religious beliefs are claims about God that contradict the Bible. The devil has given the world a buffet of false religions to choose from. Christianity, as it has been taught for the last two thousands years, is the only means of separating the truth from the lies of the devil.
The strongest weapon against a lie is the truth.
Jesus said in John 8:44 that the devil “is a liar and the father of lies,” so when he tells a lie he is speaking consistent with his character. Likewise, Jesus is the “truth,” so when He speaks the truth He is speaking according to His nature. Therefore, all truth in the world has its origin in Jesus and all lies have their roots in the devil.
The most effective lies the devil tells people are through false prophets and lying teachers, which Jesus foretold would increase before His return in Matthew 24:11. False prophets appear as wolves in sheep’s clothing and are either intentionally lying or they have been deceived themselves. Either way, their lies are from the devil.
Some of the most popular false religions today are Islam, Hinduism, Roman Catholicism, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormonism. Sadly, new religious movements are starting all the time to deceive the vulnerable. For example, there is a former pastor in the Philippines and a new age guru in Russia who both claim to be Jesus Christ- God have mercy!
Certainly, the largest and most dangerous false religion today is Islam because it has over a billion followers and their holy book (the Qur’an) commands Muslims to conqueror the world through jihad (see Surah 2:191-193 & 4:89). Also, Muslim ruled countries like Iran, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan heavily persecute Christians who teach the truth about Mohammed being a demon-possessed false prophet (Galatians 1:8-9). Consider what Mohammed said in Surah 9:29 as an example of his evil teachings, “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”
This kind of hate filled teaching is the exact opposite of what Jesus taught six hundred years prior in Matthew 5:9 when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Thankfully, Islam is losing its control over their people as many are coming to Jesus in record numbers! Though leaving Islam is punishable by death according to Surah 8:12, Muslim nations are experiencing great Holy Ghost revival!
Here are three ways you can stand against false religions; (1) Know and defend the truth of the Bible and the Christian faith. (2) Lovingly and wisely refute the lies that false prophets and other religions teach. (3) Pray for God to open the eyes of those who are deceived.
Reflection
Do you believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life?
Action
- Explain from the Bible why false religions are sinful. Dr. Norman Geisler wrote, “All views can’t be true because all views are opposite; this is the logical aspect. For example, Islam says we are good in nature; Christianity says we are born in sin. Islam says Jesus is a man; Christianity says He is more than a man, He is God. All truths can’t be the same.”
- Pray that God will use you to lovingly reach those in other religions with the truth of Jesus Christ.
- Resources: “The Kingdom of the Cults,” by Walter Martin & “Answering Islam,” by Norman Geisler.
One Year Reading Plan
Amos 1:1-3:15, Revelation 2:1-17, Psalm 129:1-8, & Proverbs 29:19-20. Click here to read online.